[9] He represented Great Britain at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, but abandoned the race due to foot blisters.

He won the 1950 Empire Games marathon in Auckland, running the last nine miles barefoot after his shoes fell apart during the race.

[11] During World War II Holden served with the Royal Air Force.

In the 1950s, Coseley Urban District Council named a new road on the Woodcross housing estate Jack Holden Avenue.

On 23 July 1952, Jack Holden's Gardens were opened on Queens Road, Tipton.