Information on Members

Isobel Cunningham

Isobel was born Isobel Bleasdell, in Montreal on February 17, 1914.

Isobel’s career as a sprinter began in the 1930s. In 1937, she became co-holder of the world record for the Indoor 50 Yard dash, at 6.0 seconds. In the same year, she was declared the outstanding athlete of the year in Quebec. In 1938, she competed in the British Empire Games in Sydney, Australia. She was preparing for the Olympics in 1940 when those Games were cancelled because of World War II.

It would be more than three decades, and after raising a family of four girls, before Isobel was back on the competitive racing circuit again. She had started and coached the Dollard Track and Field Club in Montreal for several years. As a result of her involvement with that club, someone told her about Masters running, and suggested that she join and compete, which started her second track career. Since 1975, she had competed in all of the World Masters Stadia Championships until 1999, held throughout the world, earning medals on every occasion. She was one of less than a dozen athletes to have competed in all of these championships.

Isobel has done more than just compete in athletics. She holds a diploma from the University of Montreal and, for much of her life, taught Latin, French and art in Montreal High Schools. She is a painter, and her spare time is taken up with her art. She also spends a few months each year in Florida with her husband, “Pie” Cunningham.

Here is a list of the medals earned by Isobel at the world Masters Championships, a total of 10 gold, 7 silver and 8 bronze medals: