THIS Monday marks the 130th anniversary of The Daily Echo, so it’s only fitting that we take a look back at an event that was which was put on to celebrate their centenary.

On July 24th, 1988, the Echo Centenary Solent Games got underway.

Dave Moorcroft, whose career had been dogged by injury beat the man who took the silver medal behind him in the Commonwealth Games, Nick Rose.

Regarding his place in the Seoul Olympics and even his future on the track, Moorcroft said: “I think my Olympic chances are rather on a wing and prayer, to be honest, and this could be my last season on the track if I fail to make the Squad.”

He clocked 8.13.9, with the fast-finishing Rose just a tenth of a second away.

The time was not particularly fast, but running into a very strong headwind in the home straight didn’t help.

It was an important race for Rose with the 36-year-old man aiming for a Seoul swansong to a long track career.

Rose voiced his intentions to move up to the marathon and Moorcroft hinted he might follow suit.