Darren Holloway (Pennine)

All fell runners will be saddened to hear that Darren died yesterday whilst competing in Leg 4 of the Ian Hodgson Relay.


Darren was running with Steve Knowles between Hart Crag and St Sunday Crag (marshaled) when he collapsed near Link Hause on the way to Fairfield. He received prompt CPR assistance, including from runners who selflessly stopped to help him, until the Air Ambulance arrived to take him to Barrow Hospital.


Our thoughts are for his wife Amanda, his family and all those who knew him.


Darren was 42.


Jonathan and Scoff.

An absolute gentleman, I was a bit star-struck in his presence.
I was so flattered by his comments about my edale skyline result earlier this year when I finished 1.5 hrs behind him

From Daz.

Well done Pat
Great report. The last section to Ringing Rodger does play on your mind. You describe it very well.
Is that Ringing Rodger or not.??? I well remember The great Ron Fawcett literally cajouling me across that bit in 2007.
Knocking 35mins off your time is a brilliant achievement.
Thankyou for sharing your journey

__________________________________________________ ___________________________________
Pat's Ramblings! http://pennineridgefellrunner.blogspot.co.uk/

Terrible news. A real shock. RIP daz h

This has come as a huge shock, a true fell Running Gent, he always had words of encouragement, a grafter on the fells who's drive and ability to cover the ground set him apart. you will be sadly missed DazH! Thoughts go out to all of his family.

Awful, unexpected and terribly sad news.

Darren was one of the most wonderful, kind, generous, warm-hearted people I've ever had the fortune to meet. He had just as much time (if not more) for the back markers as he did for the front runners. He was a shining example of what could be achieved by training hard and he lived his whole life with an enormous passion for everything he did. He showed me friendship, support and inspiration. He helped me believe in myself and was the first name on my BG support wish-list.

He'll be sadly missed by all and certain races just won't be the same without his immense presence. I hope we, as a fellrunning community, can find some way to suitably honour him in due course.

God, that is terrible news. He clearly loved fell running so much.

Thoughts with his family.

I only knew Daz through the forum but his enthusiasm and love for the fells shone through and I wish I had known him personally. Terrible news and my heartfelt sympathy to his family and all who knew him.

Terrible news and such a shock to us all. He was such an inspiration and an incredible fell runner. RIP Daz mate, you will be greatly missed in the fellrunning world.
Thoughts and sympathies go out to your family x

I didn't know Daz, but know people who did and he was clearly a top bloke. And a top runner. I very much enjoyed reading his blog. What terribly sad news.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DrPatrickBarry

An absolute gentleman, I was a bit start-struck in his presence.
I was so flattered by his comments about my edale skyline result earlier this year when I finished 1.5 hrs behind him

From Daz.

Well done Pat
Great report. The last section to Ringing Rodger does play on your mind. You describe it very well.
Is that Ringing Rodger or not.??? I well remember The great Ron Fawcett literally cajouling me across that bit in 2007.
Knocking 35mins off your time is a brilliant achievement.
Thankyou for sharing your journey

---

This was Daz in a nutshell. The toughest of blokes out on the fells and the gentlest, kindest spirit off them. He had a word for everybody, and was incredibly giving in his time, patience and enthusiasm with others. I respected and admired him not only as a fellrunner but as a person.

I feel privileged to have raced with him and known him a little.

A true loss.

What a tragedy. I didn't know Daz well but can only echo what people above have said: whenever I met him he was as interested in and enthusiastic about my modest achievements as he was about his own brilliant performances. He was a gentleman and a top bloke. My deepest sympathies go to all who loved him; the whole fellrunning community is poorer for his loss.

Clare

This is really sad news. I have enjoyed some great races against Daz this year and some good chats afterwards. He will be badly missed.

I don 't really come on the forum these days, but wanted to echo what has already been said. I only met Daz a couple of times but his basic decency and kindness was obvious.
Condolences to his family, friends, and all at Pennine.
Colin.

To echo Pat, he was a true gentleman. His words of support where the best I have ever received.
Daz RIP.

RIP My Mate.
Will miss you.

Very tragic news. I had heard a fell runner had been taken to hospital from the race but didn't know his identity or that he had died till I read Brett's post. My deepest sympathies to his family and friends and I'm sure that includes the whole fell running community.

Terrible news. Daz was one those runners who really represent the heart and soul of the sport - he'd give his all in the race and then always be around for a chat afterwards. He'll be greatly missed. Tom Brunt.

Always enjoyed reading his blog. Sounded like a top guy.

RIP

RIP Darren. Yiannis

Shocked to hear the news yesterday. His family and friends, particularly a close knit group like Pennine, need all our support now.

You always knew you were in a battle when you were running with Daz - the fells will be a poorer place without him, and I will miss the familiar sight of his Pennine vest and hat combo flying down the hillsides. RIP.

Rhys Findlay-Robinson, Dark Peak.

http://laidbackfellrunner.blogspot.co.uk/


So sad.

This is tragic news he was one of the greats and a true ambassador to the sport; always helping and advising no matter what your level. He will be deeply missed.

This is really terrible news. How can someone so young and so bloody fit leave us prematurely ? Not only was Daz a top runner but he had time for everybody. I last saw him at the Ben race where he gave me a reassuring tap on the shoulder by way of encouragement as I was still aiming for the summit and spoke to him later on in the evening in the pub.

Rest in peace Daz. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family.

tragic news.
I didn't know him personally, only on here. A personal inspiration in what can be achieved by hard work and dedication. Clearly a top bloke too.

my thoughts are with his family.

Those who have said that Daz sums up the best in our sport are spot on, that's exactly how I think of Daz. Someone who loves the sport and the people within it. Humble about his own considerable talents and quick to praise the efforts of others, I always found Daz to be simply a terrific bloke.

Rest in peace Daz and thank you for all your encouragement.

Mark

Heard about this last night, shocked to the core and have been since.
I'd know Daz for a few years but the first time I really got to know him was when his HPM team followed mine over Howden edge and Bleaklow on a foul night. The following year I was honoured to be part of a team that included Daz. He got injured falling in a bog early on in the race but his determination and spirit kept him going, never losing the will to push on.

On a Wuthering hike Daz and Marvin dragged me round when the wheels fell off. Always great to catch up with at races. in recent years rise in performance was inspirational.

As is said throughout his thread the fell running world has lost a true gentleman this weekend.

Good bye Daz you'll not be forgotten

Thoughts go out to the Family and all at Pennine

This morning, many runners have suddenly found themselves in mourning for a man man who touched many fell runners in many clubs, and at all levels. Here in Pennine we can't really believe what's happened.

DazH was an inspiration and a friend who'll be missed by everybody who knew him. I last saw him with Steve, waiting to start leg 4 yesterday, bright as a button, fit as a fiddle!

Perhaps the best testimonial might be the last article which Darren wrote for the Pennine Blog.
Please read it - it sums up everything about Daz in his own words.

Alan

We had the Pennine boys chasing us closely from the start on the last leg yesterday. Couldn't believe the news when i crossed the line, completely numb.

I've been privileged to share 3 or 4 fantastic battles with Daz over the past 12 months or so. I had to be at the top of my game to even get close to him, so i'm glad I can say he was right there to share in some of my most memorable days in the fells.

We only ever exchanged the odd handshake, pat on the back, quick greeting - never really needed more than that, just the mutual respect of a race hard fought.

My thoughts go to all those who knew him closely, most of all his family.

I hope fell running can honour and remember him appropriately.

I didn't know Daz personaly, but he was clearly a top guy and very accomplished fell runner.
One of our team members on the same leg, who knew him well, ran past the incident thinking it was a walker receiving CPR.
He was shocked and saddened on learning who it was afterwards.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to all who knew Daz, his family, friends and members of Pennine, from all at Chorley Athletic & Tri.

Shocked and saddened at this news. RIP, Daz.

Very sad to hear this news yesterday, such a young fit bloke.

As everyone has said earlier, he was always giving encouragement to all abilities.

I last saw Daz as he gave me a shout as I came in at the Causey Pike Race, he had long since finished his race

Fond memories of beers in keswick on the early XOTF evenings and I particularly remember him making me feeling really proud for completing the Round Rotherham LDWA event. All my mates had thrown it in and I remember him saying

"Well done for sticking it out and going alone"

He'll be sadly missed at races.

Jamie

Like IDP I heard about this last night. I'm numb with shock and sadness. I'd followed Daz' blog for a good while and used him as inspiration. I'd run a few local races in which he'd run but only found out afterwards that he'd been there. I've been waiting to meet him in person. Sadly that won't happen now, but Daz, you will continue to inspire us. Rest In Peace.

I got to know Daz quite well over the years and we always spoke at races. He encouraged me to do a BG last year and always gave you the confidence to believe you could do anything. I remember him at the FRA Relays last year, he was at the bottom of that last climb and he ran all the way up with me which made me run too, I thanked him later for his encouragement. Not only was he a top runner himself but he was so thoughtful and generous with his time and wise words. Deepest sympathies to all who loved him and he will be sadly missed.

this is awful
doesn't seem real
I didn't really know him as such, just exchanged the odd word as part of a group chatting before races, but his basic decency came across even then
my thoughts are with his family and friends

I couldn't believe what I was reading when I got news of this yesterday.

We chatted a few times at the end of races like Edale, Trog and Tour of Pendle and he was always far more interested in your race than you were in his, even when he'd finished much further up the field - a real gent.

Condolences to his family and friends, a comfort at this tragic time is that he died doing the thing he loved the most, in the mountains and amongst friends.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mountain Goatess

Terrible news and such a shock to us all. He was such an inspiration and an incredible fell runner. RIP Daz mate, you will be greatly missed in the fellrunning world.
Thoughts and sympathies go out to your family x

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I preferred your original version, we should celebrate his life.

god this is just dreadful

he was only PMing me the other day with tips and encouragement on bike racing

never met him but he was nevertheless really selfless like that

truly shocked and dismayed

Its just absolutely terrible.
When I found out last night I was in utter shocker. I just cant get my head round it.

Nobody has a bad word to say about Daz, and as everybody has said above he was just an absolute gent. Regardless of who you were, Daz has respect for you. I remember him saying that he didnt feel in awe of those better than him...we're all the same, but I always felt in awe when Id race with him.

I first met Daz at my first every fell race back in 2009 for "The Roaches". I didnt have any fell shoes and a week later he gave me a pair of his walshes. We first 'raced' each other for the Skiddaw race, and he helped me up to the top before flying down like a nutter.
Finest moment was when he pretty much dragged me round the 2010 Anniversary Walz race, Id completely blown up before High Spy but he kept shouting and pushing and in the end I beat him on the final descent.

This year has been the best year of Daz's racing life. The training and dedication he put in was more than inspirational. He was a handy runner before he upped his training, but this year he's just been amazing. 5th at Three Shires, and 1st MV40 at Scafell Pike.

The last words he wrote on his blog, A brilliant day. Sums Daz up. Absolutey lived for the sport.

Daz my friend I will miss you so much. I'll have you in my mind everytime I dont want to train, when Im suffering and need that push, and everytime I race. What a guy. RIP fella.

So so shocked to hear this. I met Daz at many races right across the UK. Mr enthusiast x10 and damn talented too. What a loss to the fell running community, condolences to all his family and friends.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Al Fowler

Its just absolutely terrible.
When I found out last night I was in utter shocker. I just cant get my head round it.

Nobody has a bad word to say about Daz, and as everybody has said above he was just an absolute gent. Regardless of who you were, Daz has respect for you. I remember him saying that he didnt feel in awe of those better than him...we're all the same, but I always felt in awe when Id race with him.

I first met Daz at my first every fell race back in 2009 for "The Roaches". I didnt have any fell shoes and a week later he gave me a pair of his walshes. We first 'raced' each other for the Skiddaw race, and he helped me up to the top before flying down like a nutter.
Finest moment was when he pretty much dragged me round the 2010 Anniversary Walz race, Id completely blown up before High Spy but he kept shouting and pushing and in the end I beat him on the final descent.

This year has been the best year of Daz's racing life. The training and dedication he put in was more than inspirational. He was a handy runner before he upped his training, but this year he's just been amazing. 5th at Three Shires, and 1st MV40 at Scafell Pike.

The last words he wrote on his blog, A brilliant day. Sums Daz up. Absolutey lived for the sport.

Daz my friend I will miss you so much. I'll have you in my mind everytime I dont want to train, when Im suffering and need that push, and everytime I race. What a guy. RIP fella.

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Al I'm really moved by that. Lovely stories and beautifully written mate.