Steve Cram, born Stephen Cram on October 14, 1960, in Gateshead, England, is a retired British middle-distance runner. He became famous in the 1980s for his amazing performances in the 1,500m, mile, and 2,000m races. Nicknamed “The Jarrow Arrow,” Steve set three world records in just 19 days, showing his talent and determination on the track.
Steve grew up in a working-class family in Jarrow. His father was a police officer, and his mother took care of the home. From a young age, he loved sports and tried football and basketball before focusing on running. He joined the Jarrow & Hebburn Athletics Club, where he trained hard and broke the world junior mile record at 17, which started his path to greatness.
After retiring from athletics, Steve became a well-known BBC commentator and motivational speaker. He also co-founded the COCO charity to help children in East Africa get education. Even today, he inspires many people through his sports achievements, charity work, and media appearances.
Steve Cram Wiki/Bio
| Field | Details |
| Full Name | Stephen Cram |
| Date of Birth | October 14, 1960 |
| Age | 64 years (as of 2025) |
| Profession | Retired Athlete, BBC Commentator, Motivational Speaker |
| Known For | World Records in 1,500m, 2,000m, Mile |
| Hometown | Jarrow, Tyne and Wear, England |
| Current Residence | Northumberland, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Education | Jarrow & Hebburn Athletics Club (No formal higher degree) |
Physical Details
| Attribute | Details |
| Height | 6’1” (185 cm) |
| Weight | 170 lbs (77 kg) during career |
| Hair Color | Brown (Now grey) |
Early Life
Steve Cram was born on October 14, 1960, in Gateshead, England, and grew up in the town of Jarrow. He came from a working-class family. His father, Bill, worked as a police officer, and his mother, Mia, was a homemaker. Steve had a younger brother, Kevin, and they shared a close bond while growing up.
As a child, Steve loved sports and tried many activities like football and basketball. However, he found his true passion in running. Inspired by his uncle Bobby Cram, a professional footballer, and encouraged by his father, Steve joined the Jarrow & Hebburn Athletics Club. There, he trained under coach Jimmy Hedley and developed his talent for middle-distance running.
At the age of 17, Steve broke the world junior mile record. This achievement marked the beginning of his journey to become one of the greatest middle-distance runners in the world. From a young age, he showed focus, discipline, and determination that would define his athletic career.
Education
Steve Cram focused on athletics from a young age and prioritized training over formal higher education. He attended local schools in Jarrow but did not go to university. Instead, he trained at the Jarrow & Hebburn Athletics Club under coach Jimmy Hedley, which laid the foundation for his successful running career.
| Field | Details |
| School | Local schools in Jarrow (not publicly named) |
| College | Did not attend university |
| Other Training | Athletics training at Jarrow & Hebburn AC under Jimmy Hedley |
Steve Cram Family Details
| Field | Details |
| Father | Bill Cram, police officer |
| Mother | Mia Cram, homemaker |
| Siblings | Kevin Cram (died in 2001) |
| Marital Status | Divorced (Karen, 2006); currently with Allison Curbishley |
| Children | Josie Cram (daughter), Marcus Cram (son) |
| Other Relatives | Uncle: Bobby Cram, former footballer |
Steve Cram was born into a close-knit working-class family. His father, Bill, was a police officer, and his mother, Mia, took care of the home. He had a younger brother, Kevin, who tragically passed away in 2001 during a running event. Steve has two children, Josie and Marcus, from his marriage to Karen, which ended in divorce. He now shares his life with Allison Curbishley, a former Olympic runner, and they work together in media and events.
Career Highlights
Steve Cram became one of the most famous middle-distance runners in the 1980s. He first gained international attention by winning gold in the 1,500m at the 1982 Commonwealth and European Championships. His smooth running style and tactical skills made him a strong competitor against rivals like Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett.
The peak of Steve’s career came in 1985 when he set three world records in just 19 days: the 1,500m in 3:29.67, the mile, and the 2,000m. These achievements cemented his place as one of the greatest runners of his era. He also won multiple medals at the Commonwealth and European Championships before injuries slowed his career. He finished fourth in the 1988 Seoul Olympics and retired from professional running in 1994.
After retiring, Steve transitioned to broadcasting and became a well-known BBC athletics commentator. He has covered multiple Olympic Games and major athletics events. Steve also mentors younger athletes, works as a motivational speaker, and co-founded the COCO charity to support education projects in East Africa.
Career Milestones
| Milestone | Details |
| Breakthrough | 1,500m gold at 1982 Commonwealth & European Championships |
| Peak Achievement | Set world records in 1,500m, mile, and 2,000m in 1985 |
| Olympic Performance | Silver medal in 1,500m at 1984 Los Angeles Olympics; 4th in 1988 Seoul Olympics |
| Major Awards | BBC Sports Personality (1983), MBE (1986), CBE (2015) |
| Notable Work | BBC Commentator, Olympic and World Athletics coverage |
| Philanthropy | Co-founded COCO charity for African children’s education |
Net Worth and Income
| Field | Details |
| Estimated Net Worth | $1–5 million (as of 2025) |
| Income Sources | BBC Commentary, Speaking Events, Media Work, Charity Work |
Steve Cram earned his wealth mainly through his work as a BBC commentator, motivational speaker, and media personality. Although his athletic career peaked before the era of big sports endorsements, he remains financially stable. He also supports charitable projects like COCO and earns income from Cram Tags, a runner ID system he developed after his brother’s tragic death.
Controversies
One of the most significant personal controversies in Steve Cram’s life was the tragic death of his younger brother, Kevin, in 2001. Kevin died during a running event in Cardiff and remained unidentified for nearly 48 hours. This heartbreaking event inspired Steve to create Cram Tags, a system to help identify runners in emergencies, turning a personal tragedy into a life-saving initiative.
Another minor controversy occurred in 2014 when Steve signed a public letter opposing Scottish independence. While it caused a small stir among fans, it did not affect his reputation in athletics or broadcasting. Steve has largely stayed away from public controversies and is respected for his professional achievements and charitable work.
Steve Cram Recent Updates
- 2023 – Led a Mount Kilimanjaro climb to raise funds for COCO charity, supporting children’s education in East Africa.
- 2023–2024 – Provided expert BBC commentary for athletics events at the Paris Olympics, praised for his insight and experience.
- 2025 – Celebrated the 40th anniversary of his 1985 world record streak at the Durham City Run Festival. He also appeared in a documentary on ITVX titled Steve Cram: NINETEEN85.
- 2025 – Continued to be a central figure in BBC athletics coverage, including events like the Great North Run.
FAQ,S
1. Who is Steve Cram?
Steve Cram is a retired British middle-distance runner known for setting world records in the 1,500m, mile, and 2,000m races in the 1980s. He is also a BBC commentator and motivational speaker.
2. When and where was Steve Cram born?
He was born on October 14, 1960, in Gateshead, England, and grew up in Jarrow.
3. What are Steve Cram’s major achievements?
He won gold at the 1982 Commonwealth and European Championships and set three world records in just 19 days in 1985. He also earned a silver medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
4. What does Steve Cram do now?
Post-retirement, he works as a BBC athletics commentator, motivational speaker, and mentor for young athletes. He also co-founded the COCO charity to support education projects in East Africa.
5. What is Steve Cram’s net worth?
As of 2025, his estimated net worth is between $1–5 million, earned through commentary, speaking events, media work, and charity initiatives.
Conclusion
Steve Cram is one of Britain’s most celebrated middle-distance runners. Known as “The Jarrow Arrow,” he set three world records in just 19 days and became a symbol of talent, hard work, and determination. Beyond athletics, he has made a mark as a BBC commentator, motivational speaker, and mentor to young athletes. Steve’s charitable work through the COCO foundation shows his commitment to helping others, especially children in East Africa. Despite personal tragedies, he continues to inspire people around the world with his achievements, dedication, and positive influence in both sports and community service.
