Tragic loss of a true gent, RIP Daz
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Tragic loss of a true gent, RIP Daz
Thoughts are with everyone who knew him, in person or just on here. Never had the chance to meet him properly, but I enjoyed his blog from time to time and from the stories coming out on here the fellrunning world will miss him greatly. RIP
What an awful tragedy, so sorry to hear this, my thoughts go out to his family and all who knew him, RIP
140 of us browsing this thread right now, all no doubt like me, having to double check what we've heard....we won't being seeing Darren again. It is quite unbelievable- such a fit bloke and inspirationally getting fitter and faster (seems ages ago now when I could just about race him). A fine bloke who enjoyed and excelled in all aspects of the fell running- the running, the racing, the banter (inc the on-line variety) and just 'being there' up on the fells. A tragic loss.
Very well written Al.Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Fowler
This is a deep shock that I am still struggling to come to terms with.
Daz was such an inspiration and role model for me. He always encouraged me, introducing me to many a forumite at races and always there with a bit of banter and wisdom.
My thoughts are with his family and all runners and riders who will be saddened by his loss.
Such a terrible shock for all who were obviously so very privilaged to have known him, but also for those of us who didn't but who share such a love of these places and affection for the people we share them with. Some of us hoped for the best, but feared the worst as the race was paused between Hart Crag & Fairfield while the helicopter landed yesterday.
We all send our deepest sympathy to Daz's family and friends and to everyone at Pennine at this very sad news.
Dave
(Eden Runners, Penrith)
Bloody hell, i'm in shock here.
I've had some 'real' fun with Daz on here over the years. :confused:
A huge loss. Just a massive shock. He really was as fit as a fiddle.Quote:
Originally Posted by Filthy Rich
I read this on facebook yesterday at it really hit me. Not sure what to say.. I got to know Daz over the years as he was one of those runners I always competed with at some point during the race, and he tended to be at most races, earlier on I tended to get the upper hand but less so recently as he'd kicked on and become a better runner.. but we always had a chat after/before the race. It was always a nice competition with him, we'd talk/encourage/joke as we passed each other and he always made time for a chat at the end.
Run Free mate.
Only found out this morning.. really shocked. A massive loss to fell running both locally here in the Peak District and as a whole.
I can only echo what others have already said. I only met Daz a couple of times, only briefly, and I'm sure he didn't know who I was but it didn't stop him being a gentleman. He seemed to be a top guy and it goes without saying, an excellent runner. Reading stories on here shows he was clearly an excellent human being as well. I just cannot believe such a fit bloke could go this way.
RIP mate. I hope his family can take some comfort from the fact he died doing something he loved.
How touching and sadly poignant this old post from Daz, where he sings the praises of mountain rescue teams: http://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showt...-rescue-appeal
"my hat off to all mountain rescue volunteers, come on send em a few quid"
RIP Daz
Daz was the best - simple as. It's clear from this thread how many people found daz to be a great friend, and an inspiration. Yesterday as everyone was expressing their shock, it was so apparent that everyone has a daz story.
He once ran a whole fell race at the back with me, and came something like 4th from last so I could go in one place in front of him. Such was his enthusiasm, not only to better and improve himself, but to help others. This is echoed by so many other posts on this thread. He will be sorely missed by us all, but of course the biggest loss is that to his family, his lad and his wife. I hope we can all honour him in some way when the time is right.
R.I.P. Daz. Seems unbelievable. He always posted some good, honest stuff on here and was full of encouragement and advice for anyone. Top bloke. Thoughts and condolences to his family and friends.
Rick.
Tragic tragic news. I knew Daz a bit and can still remember him showing me a 'quicker' line after Jacob's ladder on an Edale Skyline recce a few years back. To him it sure as heck was quicker as he glided over the tussocks and rocks - to me at the time it must have been at least 10 minutes slower than following the main drag :rolleyes:
For somebody so fit it seems incredibly unfair that he should collapse and die as he did. At the same time if I'm going to go, let it be as sudden and on such a beautiful day, running a ridgeline in the Lakes.
I would often chat to Daz before and after races, never during, he was always miles in front of me.
We were having the banter before yesterday's leg 4. He was pulling my leg about all the races I do, I was giving it him about all his training. Being the same age as Daz I found him to be an inspiration and often asked him for fell running advice, which he always gave with such enthusiasm. A true gent and a top fellrunner who is going to be sadly missed but never forgotten.
R.I.P. Daz H
Darren Fishwick...Chorley.
RIP Daz a real gentleman and an inspiration
Totally shocked to hear about this, Daz was a great bloke and great fellrunner, he'll be sadly missed by all.
I won't pretend to know Daz any more than I did - other than a bit of banter on here, I doubt I was ever a blip on his radar. But this makes the time he made for the likes of me all the more special: whether at the start of my first FTOP, swapping notes over a mug of hot broth at the end of a snowy HPM, or over a curry on XOTF; he would always have time for you and as others have said, take a genuine interest in your measley efforts.
I feel sad for the little my life was touched by him. My deepest sympathies for those who could truly count him as a friend, and of course his family.
This news comes as a great shock to Den and I. We got to know Darren on our many BGR adventures during the last 5 years. What a thoroughly great guy. His passion and enthusiasm for fell running and the mountains was clear for all to see. He always had a friendly word for everyone.
very very sad news.
This is one of theose seminal moments in life when I will remember where I was and what I was doing when I heard the news that Darren had died. Only about 45 mins ago I was sat here at my desk on the phone and browsing the forums. Excusing myself from the call I could not and cannot believe what I read. Unbelievable news, tragic and such a great loss. As everyone has echoed on here, Darren was a rare breed. Boundless enthusiasm and knowledge but overall a genuine gentleman who had an interest for everyones athletic achievements, no matter how apparently insignificant. Darren recognised that everyone has a story to tell and he was only too interested in hearing it. If everyone was like him the world would have nothing to worry about. RIP Darren
Last year when I took a big chunk of time off my Kinder Trog PB Darren sent me a lovely message and just like Pat I felt privileged to receive those words of encouragement from such a top runner and a top bloke.
Next time I crest a summit or touch a trig point, I'll look to the heavens and think of you Daz.
Tragic news to hear, I only met him once but he was as everyone has described.
My thoughts and prayers go out to all his family and friends. A tragic loss to our Fell Running family, a unique community with unique characters like Darren.
I'm sure a fitting tribute will be paid in time.
I've just been reminded of a couple of things that I will never forget about Daz.
The only man I have ever seen run topless on the Tour of Pendle and the most amazing tattoo of the Moot Hall on his back.
A Legend
Daz was a true living legend on the fells he lived and breathed them, he understood how to train and race them, as many have said in previous posts he always encouraged all around him, i am completely shocked and saddend to hear of this tragic news and he will be deeply missed on the fells, my Thoughts and condolences to his family and friends.
Darren Horner
Trawden AC
So sad - its taken me all day to think of a tribute to such a great bloke. Races wont be the same without seeing the tattoo of Moot Hall disappear into the distance.
Condolences to all that loved, liked and enjoyed racing with him - a hell of alot of people.
Andrew
DPFR
Heard on twitter yesterday. Only knew the lad off here & feel really sad for his family. 42 is no age to be taken from them. He certainly lived life to the full
There was a classic picture of Daz from that race. It was really wet and incredibly muddy underfoot that day and not particularly warm (it being mid November) and there was Daz running topless, a girl running dressed normally and another runner running with full on scott of the antartic apparell (including a balaclava and snow gloves).Quote:
Originally Posted by Donkarlo
I don't know what to say. I have only just seen this and can't really believe it. As everyone has said he was a great bloke.
I will remember especially two recces we did a few years ago.
Edale Skyline where he kept stopping and runing back to make sure I was ok - possibly the recce Stolly mentioned.
Borrowdale - where I eventually finished with Dom after more than 7 hours slog - in which the group of 12 decided to split for the descent from Scafell Pike and
I was left alone in the mist at the summit! I eventually found the way down and was elated to meet up with Daz and Huw who had come to back to find me.
My deepest sympathy to Amanda and family.
While working towards and completing our BGs in 2008, Daz and I spent such a lot of time together in the car and on the hill. There was never a cross word. He was a great companion and an inspiration.
This morning I rode my bike to Edale and then climbed to the top of Grindslow Knoll where I sat and thought about Daz. I’ll admit to shedding a few tears. Grindslow Knoll was the first hill we climbed together in our BG training (the start of the Kinder Dozen). It was somewhere that I know Daz and Amanda went together. It‘s also the start of the ”down and up” to Ringing Roger on the Edale Skyline, a race Daz completed many times, usually taking the tougher down and up rather than round the edge.
We’ve all lost a very, very good friend, and I feel desperately sorry for Amanda and Josh.
P.S. You can see the Moot Hall here
I received a PM from Daz on the 26th September, here is a quote from it that I think is fitting.
"I just did 45miles up to Matlock and back with a few climbs thrown in. 19mph. It hammered it down and I got soaked.
But I smiled all the way home. I live for days when I suffer on the bike."
That says to me he really loved what he was doing and always wanted to do it it in the best way possible.
It is extremely sad news and a real loss, devastating really.
Rod
As I said on Facebook yesterday, I only knew Daz as part of the Forum 'family', but like everyone am shocked and saddened by this terrible news - as others have said 42 is much, much too young an age to go, particularly when he seemed to be in his fell 'racing' prime.
Condolences to all Daz's family and friends.
RIP Daz.
I read it back to myself and wasn't sure if it was fitting at this time so decided to edit, but thankyou.Quote:
Originally Posted by DrPatrickBarry
This is a sad loss, hard to know what to say when this sort of tragedy occurs.
Can't say anything that's not already been said, RIP Daz, you were the real deal, best mate to everyone and a hard working grafter in all you did, thoughts are with your family and close friends. Will miss you loads mate, everyone will, you touched many lives.
What a tragic end to a great life lived to the full. A true gent who will be missed by all. He included me as if I was a lifelong friend when I met him and helped settle my nerves before my third race. I for one will be having a run along one of the soggy bits of outer edge this week and thinking about how lucky we are to have known him and do what we do.
RIP DazH, enjoyed reading the blog and the threads on the forum. Hope there are hills in heaven to run up.....
If there ain't no hills in heaven, Daz will construct some and have everyone inspired to run em.Quote:
Originally Posted by biara
That reminds me of a Tanky's Trog one year when it was freezing with ice and snow on the ground and I was dressed like the Michelin man and Daz just wore his vest and shorts :thumbup:Quote:
Originally Posted by Stolly
Oh this is awful news. My only connection to Daz was some PM correspondance between us on insomnia and related problems, as we'd both had trouble with this a few years ago . He came over as a very decent and considerate guy . I do wish I'd met him, now . It's terrible for him and terrible for his family, though at least he got a lot out of the 42 years that he had .