After leaving PGS, Ken started work at the BICC and his interest in athletics grew. He concentrated on the quarter- mile and joined Sutton Harriers. At 19, he won the Northern Junior Championships Quarter-Mile and in 1955 represented Lancashire for the first time. He dominated the Northern Championships in 1958, 60 and 61.

In 1962, Ken made the international scene representing Great Britain against USA, where he gave the Olympic champion, Otis Davis a fright, only being overtaken towards the line. He represented Great Britain in the European Games where he gained a silver medal behind Germany in the 4 x 400 meteres relay.

1. W. Germany      (J. Schmitt, W. Kindermann, J. Reske, M. Kinder)       3.05.8
2. Great Britain   (B. Jackson, K. Wilcock, A. Metcalfe, R. Brightwell)   3.05.9
3. Switzerland     (B. Galliker, J-L. Descloux, M. Theiler, H. Bruder)    3.07.0