Birthday Honours recognise octogenarian athlete and coach to junior athletes
The 2026 King's Birthday Honours recognised two amazing people at opposite ends of the athletics and running spectrum. James McDonald and Edmund Shillabeer were each recognised with a Medal of the Order of the British Empire (known as a BEM).
James is a long-standing, very successful and well-loved coach at Herne Hill Harriers where he is responsible for the junior endurance athletes. Whereas 86-year-old Edmund has race walked over 25 marathons and raised huge amounts of money for the Soldiers', Sailors' and Airmen's Families Association (SSAFA) and other charities.
James McDonald BEM
James was made a Life Member of Herne Hill Harriers in 2016 to recognise his contributions to the club since the turn of the century. But he has continued to develop middle distance athletes who have gone on to compete at the highest level - including Katie Snowden, Jessie Knight, Saskia Millard and Lewis Lloyd.
Lorna Boothe, MBE OLY is on the England Athletics Board and has been a fellow coach of James for over 20 years.
"Never have I seen such energy, commitment, passion and drive towards the development of young people. His commitment to the grass roots, youth and beyond is not only to achieve medals and trophies but encouraging self-belief, confidence, building foundations and learning lifelong lessons. He is an inspiration and role model to all that cross his path."
On the receiving end of James' coaching, Katie Snowden said:
Whilst being coached by James, I was able to achieve great success not only at club level, but also at international level earning my first British vest aged 16. One of my junior career highlights was winning the Commonwealth Youth Games 800m in 2011. I have since continued to be competitive in athletics for nearly 20 years, including becoming an Olympian in 2021, and this is entirely thanks to James helping me develop resilience, confidence, and a lifelong love for running.
Edmund Shillabeer BEM
After running his first marathon in 1972 in 3:11, Ed switched to speed walking the following year - and has completed more than 25 marathons overall including the 2023 London Marathon following recovery from bladder cancer, raising money for SSAFA. Over the years he has combined his races with fundraising for causes close to his heart.
"I have race walked all the Plymouth marathons, covering the course of the first one twice in training for an ultra race! I went in fancy dress when the London Marathon was held on St. George’s Day."
He also holds a number of records and has competed at the highest level: Edmund was the 1989 national 100-mile race walking champion with an impressive personal best of 18 hours and 11 minutes and has held the British 100km race walk record since 1985. He has competed in an England and GB senior vest a number of times.
As a Masters athlete, Edmund flew the flag for Plymouth and Great Britain in North and South America, Europe and the Antipodes, frequently finishing on his age group podium. He won the (M70–74) World Masters 20km Championship title in 2011 in Sacramento, and the European title in 1990, came fourth at the European 20km Race Walking Championships, was the European masters 30km champion in Portugal (beating the Mexico Olympics 50km champion), and has secured numerous world and European masters medals across 3k to 50k distances.
At the ultra distance events he can credit completing the Bazencourt 24-hour race, taking silver at the Rouen 200km in less than 24 hours, bronze at the Roubaix 28 hours, and two 100km road race wins in Northern France.
Edmund explained to us:
"By way of a change, I was third in the world’s first Quadrathon in 1983. This consisted of a 2.4 mile swim off Brighton Beach in the days before wetsuits, 51km race walk, 112 miles cycle, and a full marathon. I was the oldest competitor - and one of 64 of the 100 entrants to actually complete the challenge."
In his 60s he completed the National Ironman Championships and the Isle of Man 85 mile Parish Walk. In his 70s he was awarded the coveted lapel dagger for achieving top six placings in the Royal Marines Commandos Chara Challenge in 2009, 2010, and 2012.
Do these athletics achievements outshine his Birthday Honour? Not at all, it appears:
"The root of my success is a positive mental attitude, my faith which enables me to lean on the Lord when overcoming (sometimes life threatening) challenges - and my friends and family who have supported me on my journey to receiving the BEM!"
Photos from Herne Hill Harriers and Lancs Walking Club