Darren Holloway (Pennine)

Just a few memories of Daz.

I first met Daz at the Kinder Trog in 2006 when he sought advice from a highly experienced and knowledgable fell runner,
sadly he ended up chatting to me instead. He'd never done a long race and I advised him not to head off to fast at the start -
he ignored my advice and kept up with me for the first 45 minutes before falling back. I think that was the last time I ever beat him!


Last year I raced him at Peak Forest where he went the wrong way - not wanting to waste the day he went over to do the Broomfield Chase
race that same afternoon!

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Originally Posted by Stef F

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.

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

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That's lovely Stef.

Best wishes DazH. To you and your family.

Have been moved to read all the wonderful posts knowing that there was a danger that I might not 'catch up' as they pour in.
What a credit this Daz Holloway is to Fellrunning and life itself. I did not know him but have been aware of his excellent performances which appear to pale into insignificance compared to the life loving character that has touched so many.

I may be wrong but I think Daz's fantastic 5th at 3 Shires made him the leading vet in the Lakes Classics Series. The last Lakes Classic is this coming Saturday at Langdale, maybe, as we are about to set off, we could give him a moment.

May he rest in peace, and still inspire us.

Gary Thorpe , Ambleside AC.

What a massive loss.
Had some great battles with Daz on the fells.
Think Daz summed up fellrunning well, such a nice down to earth bloke before and after the race, but once the word "GO" had been shouted, you knew you had to be on form to compete with him.
Gone to soon, RIP Darren.

Sam Watson (Wharfedale Harriers)

My enduring memory of Daz was at last years Edale Skyline where I was taking a few photos. Seeing him power up Mam Tor was like watching a master class in fell running. He was like a train, totally focused with just a nod of recognition. His time of 2 hours 50 minutes is something most of us can only dream about.
Yet a few hours later he was on the Pennine Blog handing out some really useful advice on hydration on a big race. That just sums the guy up. RIP.

Mark Fermer. Pennine FR.

Really sad and shocking news.
I never met Daz but from years browsing on this forum I was well aware of his enthusiasm, his compassion and his abilities.
I was in Keswick over the jubilee weekend BG supporting, so went up to Blackbeck Tarn to watch the Ennerdale race go by and pointed Daz out to some Hungarian tourists I met on the walk in who decided they wanted to see a fell race too.
I always assumed I'd get the chance to say hello to him somewhere.
I hope the moving tributes here are some comfort to his friends and family.
Sincere condolences.

When I first heard yesterday that a runner from the Ian Hodgson Relay had been taken to hospital, and then that he'd died, I scoured the forum to find more details, thinking it was probably someone old and unfit like me that had been dragged in to make up the team. Tragic as that would have been, to then find out today that it was DazH, one of the fittest and most respected fell runners - and so relatively young was indeed a shock. It just doesn't seem fair.
I hope his family can take some solace in the number of tributes that I have since read which show the genuine sense of loss that the fell running community are feeling.

I think it's quite clear from this thread and from the immense outpouring of grief on twitter etc. that Daz was a special bloke. I hope when the time comes we can all do our bit to honour that, even if that is just to be the best we can be.

Maybe we could have a whip round for Edale MRT and Langdale & Ambleside MRT as this was obviously a cause close to his thoughts.

Gutted. He has been such a great friend over the years. The last time he stayed with us he gave the kids his yellow construction helmet. They've been wearing it tonight in tribute. He was ace.

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Originally Posted by William Clough

My enduring memory of Daz was at last years Edale Skyline Seeing him power up Mam Tor was like watching a master class in fell running. He was like a train, totally focused with just a nod of recognition.

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Mark you should have posted the link to the photo
http://penninefellrunners.co.uk/word...2/03/daz11.jpg

Attachment 6415

Attachment 6416

Nice photograph of Darren waiting to start leg 4 on Sunday.

If anybody would like this I can email it to them if you PM me your email address.

Andy

I think I'm going to get some black ribbon and make it into a bow and safety pin it to my racing vest in memory.

Daz took the time to find out about people and was interested in what they were doing and how they were feeling. He noticed other people's race results - he would send me the odd note of encouragement through the Forum when he spotted mine. And yes, as others have said, he was often on the course, after his own race, calling encouragement if he spotted me finishing.

Daz was kind to me. It's a special thing (as an average runner) to feel respected and supported by a front runner, someone from another club with no other connection other than he was interested in people and wanted to know about you. I thanked him for his kindnesses a few times but he didn't want thanks. A lovely man and so sorry that he's gone.

I thought I'd share this with you; my last pm from Daz:

I'm glad your well. Hang in there Stef. Yes I'm okay. Training very hard as well as working hard as well. Been doing 12 hr training weeks and lots of races which I always do. At this level there really isn't much time for anything else, but I always wanted to say to myself that the day I have to finish running and racing the fells that I gave it my all. Done over 250 fell races now and won a good few things along the way. You keep well, see you soon Stef x Give my regards to Andrew

He has finished early but he did give it his all. What an inspiration.

It is always unpleasant and just a little bit unfathomable when the nice ones go. The good memories will remain; beating him on a missed turn at the riber run fell race, watching him give away his hard won t-shirt at Stanage Struggle - a large was never going to fit his fell racing frame, seeing him hang about to pick up the odd little prises some of the local evening fell races give out as he hoovered up finishes in any events he hadn't yet taken part in - Parwich and Masson hill, a hot day on Leg 4 on the BG as he not only collected water for Phil and Julian but still kept a watchful eye on my slow progress.

Am thinking something cycling related might be the best thing to wear to remember him by - something woollen probably with the rainbow colours or maybe just hat with a small peak.

Received from Amanda

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Dear Brett ,
I just want to thank you and all the members for the fantastic emotional words you are all saying about my beautiful husband, much loved father and son.He loved the sport and the friends he had made , the banter before races and the jokes after ..:.
I have been reading these amazing words as we drive back from Barrow...distraught at having to leave him while postmortems and such are carried out .......
Thank you for the love u all had for Daz H xxxxxxxxx
Life will never be the same again

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From Amanda

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Hi Brett
Also could you please post a very very big thank you on your forum to your members and friends of Daz as myself and josh have been overwhelmed by the tributes , stories and all round love for him.

Amanda and Josh holloway xxx

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The tributes posted on here only stand to further mark how much of a true fell legend Daz is and will always be.
A familiar conversation between me and DynamoDan or Fleeter was about his determination and training, a true hard man on the fells, but the softest character off it.
I have two fond memories of Daz in particular. Firstly at XOTF 2009, when we embarked on a tour up Sharp Edge in winter.....I was shitting myself, but Daz in his typical fashion made sure everyone was ok, and led us abandoners back over Mungrisedale. Secondly seeing him running spectacularly all last year in the fell champs, it was an absolute pleasure to see such a guy reaping the deserved benefits of all his hard work...and he got his sub 1:50 at the Ben!!!!

You'll be sorely missed mate, im sure theres a perfect hill up there for you to just run up and down all day with that look of determined enjoyment on your face....until then, enjoy x

It is with great sadness that I read these posts on the forum.

I have always considered that Darren was a very down-to-earth character who loved life.
I never met him personally but I feel that I have known him for a very long time through this forum.

May he now enjoy eternal peace.

My condolences to his family and friends.

I have never met Daz but have read his posts on here and dropped in on his blog now and again. Reading the stories and posts on this thread proves just how liked he was. He came across as the type of person and friend we would all like to be.
Very sad news, my heartfelt condolences go to all his family & friends. RIP Daz xx

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Originally Posted by brett

Received from Amanda

Dear Brett ,
I just want to thank you and all the members for the fantastic emotional words you are all saying about my beautiful husband, much loved father and son.He loved the sport and the friends he had made , the banter before races and the jokes after ..:.
I have been reading these amazing words as we drive back from Barrow...distraught at having to leave him while postmortems and such are carried out .......
Thank you for the love u all had for Daz H xxxxxxxxx
Life will never be the same again

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I'm glad Amanda and Josh are able to read these posts and take comfort from them. I can't imagine what they are both going through right now.

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Originally Posted by Stef F

there will be many people who have been inspired by you to be better people. You can sleep easy.

Stef

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I can think of no better words and so will not try. Well said Stef.

My condolences to his family - Daz leaves a legacy to be very proud of and I'm sure everyone on this forum feels the same.

Absolutely gutted, Daz did his BG the same day as Mrs C, he will be sorely missed our condolences to all his family and friends.

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Originally Posted by Rob Furness

I'm glad Amanda and Josh are able to read these posts and take comfort from them. I can't imagine what they are both going through right now.

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Agreed Rob.

I'm also wondering about a fund for daz, where we could make a donation to mountain rescue, as an alternative to inundating Amanda, Josh and family with cards and flowers? I am sure most of us would like to mark our respect and condolences in some way.

Daz was old school in all the best ways.

My enduring memories are seeing him run every step up Lose Hill after 17odd miles of a Skyline recce in 2007, i had only been at it for 2 months or so and i couldnt understand how it could be done. I worked harder, got fitter, faster and stronger until i could run up and down all kinds of hills, always wanting to catch him one day. I even thought i had a chance once when he wasnt far ahead at Sedbergh....then my wheels fell off....

Seeing him then go on to improve and really achieve his potential has been an inspiration and a great reminder of the value of hard training. He was never afraid to work hard.

Also used to enjoy watching him descend, never known anyone fall as often!

A gentleman.

So sorry to hear about Daz....such a sad thing to happen. My thoughts are with his family...

I never met Daz, but still feel sad, and a sense of loss of a like minded person. I will miss his posts on this forum. RIP.

Alan Lucker (Bowland Fell runners)

Shocked to the core about this news. I only met Darren a couple of times at fell races and interacted with him a few times on here. It is clear from all these wonderful comments that he loved the sport and the people of all abilities who make it special. He will be looking down on all these comments with a big grin on his face, in the knowledge that he inspired so many.*

I remember a debate on the forum about teachers, he posted about how he had taken on some down and out kids at work and turned their lives around by giving them an opportunity, training and most of all belief. *He had faith in them and although I did not know him well, the qualities of a true gent and all round great guy were obvious.*

You feel helpless when thing like this happen. In my own way I'll donate and I hope others will to the mountain rescue team that did a great job at the weekend. I'll race next weeks relays with you in mind Daz, trying to emulate your efforts.

Just thought I'd add to the long list of acts of kindness done by daz h.

I asked a question this year on an Ennerdale Recce thread about the route round Haystacks and a day or so later got a PM from him out of the blue with a detailed description of the route I should be taking, with compass bearings and everything. I introduced myself at the race to say thanks. Afterwards, I read his blog and saw how happy he was that he'd managed to do it in under four hours. At the time I was very impressed. Now I'm just pleased for him that he achieved it and could enjoy the knowledge that he'd done it.

Look at this thread. Its absolutely brilliant.
Its so so sad that we have lost a true great, but I cant help but feel proud that so many people have each said such nice words about Daz.
I mean, look at the view count of this thread...not even been live for 24 hours and theres over 16,700 views!!! You were something special Daz.


When something like this happens, its such a reminder about how short and how precious life is. As my mum keeps telling me, you only live once and you've got to make damn sure it was a happy one. We all do things we dont want to do that keeps others happy, and we often involve ourselves in things that make us unhappy. Life is too short, and depending on what you believe, you've only got one shot at it.
Do as Daz did.....one life, live it!

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Originally Posted by OneHillWonder

I'm also wondering about a fund for daz, where we could make a donation to mountain rescue, as an alternative to inundating Amanda, Josh and family with cards and flowers? I am sure most of us would like to mark our respect and condolences in some way.

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I am guessing (and hoping) that the family will let us know how they might wish us to show our respect shortly.

Iam going to miss him. a true gent,i just whish i could have thanked him fof all the encouragement,motivation,and mentoring he gave to my son Andy over the years .I havent known much grief in my life but its funny how someone you meet now and again can have such an impact on you. If there is a god up there he will be wearing walshys by christmas. miss you mate.

Gary Fleet

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Originally Posted by Tussockface

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.

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Likewise.

I met Daz briefly on Emma Gregory's BG a couple of years ago... he struck me as very experienced and accomodating to a novice BG aspirant such as myself. From his posts, and the words of those who knew him well, I can see he will leave a huge void.

My very best wishes to his family and friends.

Terribly sad news, my thoughts are with his family and friends.

I didn’t know Daz but have found myself deeply moved by his tragic passing, especially reading all the inspirational tales about him from those that did know him. Seems like a great example for all both as a runner and a person. I suppose I view fell running as a community (as I am sure everyone on here does) and the fact that someone who was clearly such an integral part of that community could have been taken at his prime is very sad indeed.

As I say my own experience of Daz is limited but I do remember earlier this year once the excitement of getting a place in what was to be my first Ben race had died down I was left with the inevitable question of “how the hell do you train for Ben Nevis??” a quick search later and I was soon reading about Daz’s amazing efforts at both Ben Nevis and elsewhere, there’s a man worth listening to I thought, I just wish I had the chance to listen some more.

RIP Daz.

I never had the pleasure of meeting Daz who, by all the accounts here, was an absolutely gentleman and fell running legend. Our Leg 4 runners stopped to help but by the time they arrived there were already many other selfless runners and others doing everything they could, and I probably unwittingly passed him on our descent to Hartsop.

Our sport has lost one of its great champions in every sense and I feel honoured to have even been in some of the same races as him. It's no consolation, but at least he was running free over the high fells on a perfect day right to the end. My thoughts go out to his family and friends on their loss. Rest in peace Daz.

so sad and shocked to hear this. reading the 16 pages of posts is hard but heartwarming.

daz was such an inspiration to me both whilst I ran for pennine and after. hard as nails when he raced but so genuine and open when having a crack away from the fells.

lots of memories but the most apt were during his and mine BGs. when I helped daz and andy, I was really struck by how close they had become during their buildup and it seemed a real team effort. they both inspired me to push on and attempt the next year...

and when I came to plan mine, straightaway I asked daz and geoff to support leg 3, as I knew I would find it tough. which I did. but having him there inspired me to keep going through the rough patch and ultimately succeed.

christ, daz's bike choice (custom steel Rourke) even inspired me to get something similar.

running and riding gives you much time to reflect and think. even this morning on my ride into work, I stopped and looked at the sun rising over the ennerdale fells, thinking of daz.

my thoughts are with his family.

toby cushion
keswick ac

THere's going to be a huge gathering of our community at Church Stretton this weekend of course, and I know everyone will pay their respects in the time honoured way at the start. I dare say the good people at Mercia are already planning for this. Stef mentioned wearing something too, a ribbon i think (so many pages back! :) ). This is a nice idea and I wondered about everyone wearing something, anything as a personal tribute and mark of respect? I'll wear a black buff as an armband or wrist band i think in honour of Daz during my leg (pairs, leg 2) and will think of him when i start to wuss it and back off on a descent or start moaning for my partner to slow down on the climb to Pole Bank!

I suppose it doesn't have to be black, a ribbon or anything prescribed - just a personal, visible tribute. It would be really something to look around at the dozens of runners and to know at glance they are all thinking of Daz and wishing he was there, somewhere ahead blazing a trail on the Long Mynd.

To Darren's family and many, many friends
Quite clearly a man held in very high regard
With sincere condolences at this very sad time
All at Ellenborough AC