Former national quarter-mile champion and athletic administrator, Frank Urquhart, died peacefully at his home on Monday. He was 95 years old.

Urquhart, a pioneer in his sport, was the first Jamaican to break the 50-second barrier in the 400m event, a feat accomplished at the Jamaica National Trials at Sabina Park on January 8, 1938, where he clocked a time of 49 seconds.

Urquhart is also remembered as being the unfortunate anchor man on the 4x400 relay team at the 1938 Pan American Games in Panama. After collecting the baton from a young Arthur Wint, who ran a solid third leg, Urquhart fell to the ground with less than 100 metres left in the race.

Although he quickly recovered and finished the race in first position, much to the delight of spectators on hand, the team was disqualified as, regrettably, he had left the baton behind.

Captured 400m gold

The event preceded Jamaica's initial participation in the 1948 Olympic Games in London. The Games had been on a 12-year break due to World War II.

Wint went on to capture 400m gold at the event.

After retiring from competitive track and field, Urquhart served the sport in an administrative capacity and was a member of the then Women's Amateur Athletic Association (the WAAA), the association responsible for establishing the Girls' Athletics Championships, commonly known as Girls' Champs.

A former assistant collector general, he is survived by five children and four grandchildren.

- Kwesi Mugisa