Women of the Century Database Display

Surname	Burton
Forename/s	Beryl
Other Names	nee Charnock
Dates	(1937 - 1996)

Biographical Notes	Born in Leeds. Beryl left school at an early age due to a serious illness She was introduced to cycling by her husband Charles Burton when she was 17 years old. She held the Woman's Best British All Rounder (BBAR) title for cycling from 1958 to 1978. By 1977 she had won seven gold medals, four silver medals, and three bronze medals in world championships. She also held more than 60 British titles. She was a specialist in racing against the clock and her achievements in time trialling are unsurpassed. She was the only woman to beat top male cyclists in open events. In 1968 she brought down the record for 160km down to 3hrs 55mins and 55secs, bettering the 4 hour record set by Ray Booty in 1956. She was also the only woman allowed to compete at the highest level against men when she rode the Grand Prix des Nations. She received an MBE in 1964 and an OBE in 1968. She dominated British women's cycling for more than 20 years and helped put women's cycling on the map, yet she gained her national and international fame by mainly working outside the system, with little or no support from the governing bodies. At the height of her sporting career, though men's cycling had been part of the Olympics since 1896, women cycling events were not allowed in the Olympics until 1988 and the 3000m pursuit not until 1992, by which time she was in her 50s. She died on 5 May 1996, aged 58, after falling from her bicycle.
Further Sources	Beryl Burton, 'My Personal Best'
Associated Places	Morley