Category: Athlete

Inducted: Wednesday, July 16, 2008

It was in recognition of his outstanding success as a runner that Harvey Skirving was elected to the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame.

In 1917, the year that he started a lifetime association with the Church Lads Brigade, he gained his first victory, finishing first in the half mile run at the CLB Armoury.

Born in 1902, Harvey Skirving forged into real prominence in 1920 when he won the quarter mile, half mile and road race and at the CLB summer camp at Topsail. He also played with the soccer team that won the Camp title.

The next four years were great as he won every half mile and one mile race he entered, with one exception.

He became the first Newfoundland runner to break five minutes for the one mile run at the 1921 Catholic Cadet Corp Jubilee sports. He won in 4:55 and later twice recorded a record-setting 4:49.4. It was a record that lasted for many years.

In addition to his success as an athlete, he made many contributions to various sports and other athletic groups as an executive and volunteer.

For his inspiring and trend-setting running career, Harvey Skirving was inducted into the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame November 3, 1990.