James Wood (athlete)

James Ford Wood nicknamed Ginger (1 July 1906 – 28 December 1999) was a track and field athlete from Scotland who competed at the 1930 British Empire Games (now Commonwealth Games).

Wood was educated at George Heriot's School and was a member of the Heriot's Former Pupils Athletics Club^[1] and finished runner-up behind Robert Sutherland in the 4 miles title at the 1930 Scottish AAA Championships.^[2]

Leaving Scotland on the Anchor-Donaldson liner Audania, he arrived in Canada^[3] and represented the Scottish Empire Games team^[4] at the 1930 British Empire Games in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada,^[5] participating in one event,^[6] the 6 miles race.^[7] At the time of the Games she was living at 163 Gilmore Place in Edinburgh and was a hairdesser by profession.^[8]

Wood finished second behind Alec Burns but ahead of rival Robert Sutherland in the 4 miles race at the 1931 AAA Championships.^[9] The following year in 1932, he then became the British 10 miles champion after winning the title at the 1932 AAA Championships^[10] before finishing third in the 6 miles behind Jack Holden and Sutherland at the 1933 AAA Championships.^[11]

Wood won the Scottish AAA 10 miles title twice and was East of Scotland cross-country champion in 1928.^[12]