Noted in the close-knit athletics community for his joviality and humility, Holden was also held in awe for his ability to consume seemingly enormous quantities of ale while continuing to perform to the highest standards. At his peak, he achieved an ambition to run 100 miles and drink 100 pints in a single week; and he would regularly perform an after-race trick of drinking a pint while standing on his head — once while he was up a tree. The great Olympian Steve Cram once said to him: “I wish I was an athlete in your day — it sounded much more fun.”