Russell was born on 3 August 1935 in Chiswick, London.

In 1959, he won both the Wingfield Sculls and the Scullers Head of the River Race.

In the same year, he won both the Grand Challenge Cup and the Stewards Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta.

He represented England and won double Bronze in the coxed four and eights at the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Perth, Western Australia.

[1][2] Two years later, he won a silver medal in the coxless four at the 1964 Summer Olympics with Hugh Wardell-Yerburgh, William Barry and John James.