Career
At the peak of his career he was virtually unbeatable at distances up to 15 miles, often racing against relay teams so that the race would be more competitive. On 4 November 1904, at Ibrox Park, Glasgow, he broke the one hour run record as well as all amateur records from six to eleven miles, and all professional records from eight to eleven miles, running eleven miles, 1137 yards (18742 km) in one hour. Altogether he set 28 world records.
He raced ten times against the great marathoner Tom Longboat, winning all the races shorter than 20 miles and losing all the longer races.
In 1908 he became coach of the Harvard University cross-country team, leading it to a national title. From 1919 to 1928 he coached the Oxford University Athletics Club.
In 1928 Alfred made his home permanently in Canada. He died in Bowmanville, Ontario in 1964.
He is commemorated by the annual Alfie Shrubb Museum Run in Bowmanville, and the annual Alf Shrubb Memorial 5 mile cross-country run in Slinfold.