Stewart was born on 22 June 1943 in
Alexandria, Vale of Leven, to Jack, a baker, and his wife Greta, who raised him with his sister Elizabeth. He attended
Vale of Leven Academy, where his
physical education teacher first noticed his running potential. He trained with the local
harriers' club of the
Vale of Leven, whom he represented in competition until 1968, when he moved to
Glasgow and joined the Shettleston Harriers. and the following year finished third again but this time in the 6 miles event behind
Jürgen Haase and
Lajos Mecser at the
1967 AAA Championships but by virtue of being the highest placed British athlete was considered the
British 6 miles champion. Stewart's greatest athletic achievement was competing at the
1970 Commonwealth Games in
Edinburgh, where he won the gold medal in the 10,000 metres. He defeated
Ron Clarke of Australia in the final. Stewart finished second behind
Dave Bedford in the 10,000 metres event at the
1972 AAA Championships and shortly afterwards he represented
Great Britain at the 1972 Olympics Games in
Munich, in the 10,000 metres event. Stewart worked as a
dental technician for more than 40 years. He died in
Paisley on 31 May 2025, at the age of 81. == References ==