TWO Coventry sporting heroes have been immortalised in steel as figures on a local section of the National Cycle Network.
Cyclist Eileen Sheridan and former Olympian middle and long-distance runner and current Parkrun chair David Moorcroft OBE have been honoured.
Eileen broke all 21 British women’s road records and in 1954 completed the Land’s End to John O’Groats route in two days, eleven hours and seven minutes.
The figures were placed on the Lias Line, a disused railway route which is now Warwickshire’s longest greenway.
The line consists of 4.2km of off-road track for bikes, walkers and horses.
The unveilings are part of a ‘portrait benches’ project to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.
The figures were selected through a national campaign by the walking and cycling charity Sustrans, which asked residents to have their say on who they believe has made a positive impact on their local community over the last 70 years.
The £5.1million project was funded by the Department for Transport and other partners.
An unveiling ceremony on saw David attend alongside members of the Coventry Cycling Club as well as Eileen’s daughter Louise.
Louise said: “Our family is very pleased and honoured that Mum has been chosen by the people of Warwickshire.
“She has many happy memories of cycling with the Coventry Cycling Club through the lanes of Warwickshire.
“She thinks Sustrans and the National Cycle Network make a fantastic contribution to the health and wellbeing of everyone.”
David Moorcroft added: “It’s a great honour to be part of this project and to be stood next to Eileen who was such a legend from the world of cycling in Coventry and Warwickshire.
“Particularly as Sustrans is so committed to promoting healthier ways of living and healthier forms of transport.”
The two figures are the first of 30 to be installed in 14 different locations across England celebrating the achievements of people and groups who have gone above and beyond for their communities.
