And a Santa hat!Quote:
Originally Posted by Alf
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And a Santa hat!Quote:
Originally Posted by Alf
So sad, RIP Daz.
Well I think I am just as devastated and shocked by the news as everyone else is in our little community. Daz enriched so many peoples lives and I regarded him as not just a top friend but someone who I admired and respected as a runner and as a person. We shared many great experiences in the mountains and I will always fondly remember reaching the summit of Ben Nevis together in the 2009 race and trying like hell to keep up with him on the descent. Alas he kicked my arse! He was always encouraging others and I was no different. He helped me develop as a runner and was always there to help me out when I needed it.
One thing I will add is that I happened to be on the same leg as Daz yesterday and the compassion showed by other runners and people out on the hill was immense and very heart warming. Its going to be tough for a while but I'm sure if we all stay positve we can celebrate his life and honour him the way he would like to be remembered.
Rest in peace mate, I'll miss you.
Andy Fleet
Calder Valley Fell Runners
It's such an impossibly sad day. Daz and I started out in fell running at roughly the same time, running Dave Dentons races in Derbyshire. He was the first forumite I met - after he'd written 'Daz H' on the back of his Ilkeston RC vest before one of the Shining Cliffs races. We raced against each other quite a few times over Derbyshire races - including the one mentioned by OHW (Chevin Hills, and it was 10 from the back - I've got the results!), as well as meeting up for the reccies of Edale and Borrowdale mentioned by Swoop and Stolly. It was that descent off Scafell Pike in the Borrowdale reccie that earned him the forum status "Master and MR", the MR being Mountain Rescue. I haven't raced against him much in the past couple of years - not that I'd have got anywhere close to him when he started training harder, but it was always good to catch up with him. I'll miss him greatly.
nicely put Andy, very sad indeedQuote:
Originally Posted by Fleeter
Daz will never know this now but he was the yardstick against which I measured myself in races - if I finished even close to him then I knew I must be having a blinder. Can't say I really knew him that well - met him a few times - but he was quite obviously a guy who loved his sport, trained hard, but even though he was at the sharp end of races remembered that it was all about having fun. Though I suspect if I had told him that he was someone I sought to emulate he would have told me to stop being so daft.
It seems impossible to add to all the tributes paid to Daz by everyone who ever encountered this truly great man. Every time I think of Daz the word 'star' immediately comes to mind. He was the stalwart who dropped everything and without fuss changed back into his kit so he could support our final BG leg, after already completing one earlier. Daz was kind, funny and generous to all. He will be greatly missed by our community: we have lost a star.
Julien
Same.. he was my virtual marker in races I didn't do.. as he did so many and was also very consistent I could use him as a measure of where I would have finished.. numerous top 10's from the safety of my arm chair because of him.. however recently I had to take a few minutes off as he'd really pushed on. Still just shocked.Quote:
Originally Posted by Trimm Trab
I only met Daz a handfull of times so didn't really know him like others did, but he always came across as a totally nice guy. It's just so sad.
I got back from a family 18th birthday party last night to hear the dreadful news about Darren.
Daz was one of the good guys. It was always a delight to be in his company and the miles would pass painlessly in good conversation. He always sought to be the best runner he could be and was tireless in his efforts to encourage others. A real man of the mountains who will be sorely missed the length and breadth of fell running country.
Rest in peace Darren, and wishing strength to all who will miss him.
[QUOTE=Mr1470;505520]Awful, unexpected and terribly sad news.]
Richard, would you feel able to post on here the short tribute you paid to Darren this morning on Facebook?
I think many people would love to read what you wrote.
Thanks.
M
What a sad day. 42 is just too young. Heartfelt thoughts to all his family and friends.
Before the race was Run
http://uphilldowndale.wordpress.com/...-race-was-run/
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Fowler
Moved to tears by these posts from the young uns, Daz would be proud of you both.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fleeter
There are so many moving tributes about Daz and how he had such a positive influence on the lives of everyone in the fell running community. Wonderful comments such as helped, encouraged, laughed and smiled really showed how well respected he was amongst his fellow runners. The fell running community may have lost a great man but he will never be forgotten. RIP Daz H.
I only knew him through his blog (Laidback Fell Runner) and am truly saddened by his death. My deepest sympathies go out to his family. I hope that it is of some comfort to know that all in the fell running community share your loss.
Such a moving tribute. I'm just off for a run now. I'll be thinking of Daz.Quote:
Originally Posted by DrPatrickBarry
Very sad news, tragic. Never met the guy, but always took in what he said on here, seemed to speak a lot of sense and was obviously a hugely popular, respected and talented guy.
After finishing very close to him at the High Cup race earlier in the year, and knowing his name from off here, I couldn't help but notice his amazing achievements on the fells over the summer. This inspired me to believe that if I try I might be able to come close to achieving the amazing results he did, respect to you DazH and thankyou for unknowingly inspiring me
RIP, my thoughts go out to those that loved and knew Darren
When I joined Pennine five-odd years ago, Darren was inspirational in his training regime and his nature. I've never a hope of getting near his performances physically but his enthusiasm and superhappy nature are something we can all keep doing. Fellrunning's values are exemplified in Darren and his good-natured altruism and selflessness during the red mist of competition are legendary. How did he make it all look so easy? :-)
It was a breezy and sunny afternoon on Kinder today and a good trot out to reflect on Pennine training runs with Darren's anecdotes and encouragement over those stones and slopes.
Thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. So sad for anyone to lose their life, but at such a young age makes it doubly sad.
I've heard a lot about Daz on the forums, but have met him once on Mr1470s BG. It was my first attempt at supporting and as Rich was celebrating he offered me a handshake and congratulations on the support and asked me when I was going. From what I've read here that sounds like Daz being Daz.
Terrible news, RIP Daz
Just to add my deepest sympathies to Daz's family. Words can't really adequately express the shock at this tragedy. A well loved and respected fell runner.
Chapeau, Daz, for a life well lived.
You've left us all behind again.
There can't be many fell runners without a Daz H story. The common thread is Daz's kindness and generosity.
RIP Daz H
Today, myself and another forum member, collected Darrens van from Patterdale and took it home for him.
I met Darrens Father, Mother and Amanda his wife, oh how I wish it would have been in different circumstances that I got to meet Darrens family.
But when he is looking down now he can rest assured that the dignity they showed me today is true testiment to how this gentleman ran his life, a real man who helped others, without want of a reward, a man who on many occassions I have hugged and will sorley miss that in the future, a man who I can call a friend.
So many have written so many words, and i am sure he would be humbled right now.
I am just so pleased to have had the pleasure of meeting this fine man.
Rest in peace my friend we will all miss you.
Steve (big daft Hugger)
An event is on the cards, please just give us time
As Morgan suggested above, this is what I wrote this morning. Not so much a tribute as a desperate attempt to try and put my feelings into words and make some sense of it all;
"Some news just hits you like a bolt from the blue, so unexpected, so bizarre in its nature that it fails to register in your cerebral cortex. It seems like a dream, and you fully expect to wake next morning to find the earth back on its true axis.
After that initial hit, the news creeps insidiously into every pore of your being, overwhelming you with a sadness that just floors you, unable to articulate your feelings and leaving you alone with your thoughts and memories.
On this grey, cold Highland morning, as the mist parts and the hillside across the loch becomes visible, I can’t help but see him descending, as graceful as a gazelle on his favourite rocky, bouldery terrain, lost in a world of concentration, his face contorted with effort, his eyes locked in an almost thousand yard stare, his knee and elbow bloodied from some earlier fall.
He’s gaining now on his rivals (and friends!) and nothing will distract him from his desire to reel them in. I shout encouragement....”go on Darren!”....but there’s not a flicker, he’s immersed in his gladiatorial battle.
As the ground flattens out, he strains every sinew to hold position as the finish line approaches. He crosses the line, totally spent, not an ounce of energy left, having given 100% (as he did to everything in life).
And then, just as suddenly, his demeanour changes and he’s all smiles and handshakes and offering words of congratulations to those around him. But it’s not for him to slink off towards the cafe or the pub with the rest of the front runners. Cup of water in hand, he walks back up the last part of the course, cheering, greeting and offering encouragement to those of us who can only dream of the level of performance which he delivers time and time again.
The word “legend” is much overused these days. He deserves that title, for his mastery of the fells, for his ability to make everyone feel special with well chosen words, for his deep understanding and appreciation of the ethos, history and legacy of the sports he loved, for the total enthusiasm with which he led his life. I only hope he knew just how much people thought of him.
The world is a sadder place for the passing of such people. My world is a sadder place this morning. He showed me true friendship, kindness, support and inspiration. To say I admired and respected him would be a massive understatement. My thoughts are especially with those whom he loved and who loved him. It must be so hard to take in....."
I didn't have the privilege of knowing Darren but enjoyed the blog and I'm moved by the genuine expressions of sympathy and grief from all his friends in the fellrunning world. I was at Wrynose with my daughter jangling her cowbell as he flew through at the Three Shires only a few weeks ago. Yesterday we were standing in the warm sunshine of the leg 4 changeover on what couldn't have been a more perfect day. A short time later my teammate and I stopped to help after Darren collapsed. There was a fantastic effort by all the runners, walkers and Air Ambulance crew involved to try to save his life but unfortunately there was nothing any of us could do.
My deepest sympathies go to his wife and son and to all of you who knew him. He was obviously well loved and respected.
I didn't know Daz but when someone posted the link to his Blog I realised I had visited it many times and marvelled at his exploits. The Laidback Fellrunner. It seems he had a life well lived, it's so sad and cruel that it was cut short. However, I know for myself that come the day I know how I would want to go..Sending warm wishes to his family.
In addition to losing one of our own from the fell running community, we've lost a stalwart forumite. His contributions will be missed by all of us on here.
As to how his family must be feeling, we can only begin to imagine; words like 'shock' and 'grief' are entirely insufficient. Though a stranger, I send my sincere condolences to them.
I did not know him either, but my thoughts are with all who did know him.
Well said.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mud
R.I.P Daz
Thanks Amex - that was a big help!Quote:
Originally Posted by Amex
Alan B
A life cut short.
http://adyinaccy.smugmug.com/Other/M...X2/Ady3-X2.jpg
In full flow at the 2011 British Fell Relays
RIP daz
RIP. Run free.
I will miss you.
ChrisU - I've had that photo stuck in my head since yesterday afternoon, glad you posted it. I think it sums up our entire sport.
I managed to get out on the moors this afternoon, stumbling about unable to think straight. I bumped into a couple of fell runners on top of Roseberry Topping who were happily telling me about their recent exploits, injury problems, and massive love for Fell Running. These were Daz's people and they probably didn't even know him. All I could do was stand there looking into the middle-distance and grunt a few responses.
Ever since I first met him, I think at Burbage Skyline last year in my first race proper in a Pennine vest, he's been my marker and my yardstick, not just on the fells but also in the way he conducted himself. I was a long way off in both respects. Hard as nails but with a heart of gold. I'm ashamed to say that at Wasdale this year a tiny part of me was relieved he hadn't shown up on the start-line, as it meant an extra club championship point for me! How childish and naive I am. There's a lot to learn, and Daz is an excellent blue-print. I was hoping to improve over the winter so next year I could spend time racing him, not watching him disappear into the distance.
Always words of encouragement pre- and post-race, the last being a good chat before 3 shires, as due to time we only managed a cursory greeting before heading our separate ways on Sunday morning.
As I arrived at Sykeside after my leg 2 run, Daz and Steve were just heading out. Daz executed a perfect gate-swing, and then he was gone, but never forgotten.
Nic, Pennine
Just been talking to friend about Daz, ba-ba, that's just how I described him, hard as nails with a heart of gold:)
That's how I'll always remember him.
Can't believe this......so sad reading this through tears.
We never got to do our little race mate, although I know you would have stuffed me.
Thoughts to family and friends.
Rest in peace mate.
Auld Ken
What a lovely thought. Now I have visions of Daz happily building a dream land of hills, tussocks, rivers; all the best fell running obstacles ready for us all to enjoy and share! Thanks Steve.Quote:
Originally Posted by stevefoster
I've been feeling pretty down today, not really able to adjust to the idea of Daz being gone. We climbed the beacon this evening and lit some candles for Daz, his family, Badger, his friends, all the people he's helped, encouraged and supported, and for all the people who might have needed his help but will never get the chance to benefit from it. It was peaceful on the beacon with an array of twinkly lights all around below us.
I too benefited from Daz's kind words and encouragement. RIP Daz; there will be many people who have been inspired by you to be better people. You can sleep easy.
Stef