TRIBUTES TO OUR CHAIRMAN – DAVE WAYWELL

MESSAGE from the EDITOR

First of all check out these old photos

Oh yes, our Dave was quite the Hunk wasn’t he?

Dave, as many of you know, is Chairman of Wesham Road Runners and, as such, runs the club, in my opinion, extremely well. Not only does he administer club policy, he also organises and directs many races. I have never known such an active man – he is never still! The number of races he takes part in during the year is also phenomenal – he is very much a ‘hands on’ man. I have known Dave for some years now and have always found him to be extremely supportive of my work as Wesham Editor. Between himself and Kath they produce Results Tables for the Age Related, posters and Entry Forms for numerous races and organise functions throughout the running year. The club, through his leadership, has gone from strength to strength. This year alone we have attracted many new members.

As Editor I am always getting information from Dave to pass onto club members as he likes to keep everyone up to date with current information. To me, this is the sign of a good leader.

At races, my first impression of Dave was that he didn’t need a megaphone! Sorry Dave, but you really don’t. You have the strongest vocal chords I know!!

Dave is my first port of call when I come into WRR or running related problems and, if he can’t sort them himself, he knows ‘a man/woman who can’

As a person, Dave is a very ‘upfront guy’ and very easy to get to know. He is always there for whoever needs him and nothing is ever too much trouble. If ever you want a really good friend, then that’s Dave.

I hope you enjoy this edition Dave and all the tributes members have sent in as you so deserve them. My personal thanks for all your support and that goes for Peter too. All the best for the future and may you head Wesham Road Runners for many years to come.

Written by: Brenda Earnshaw WRR Editor

Submitted: 1^st August 2010

A Tribute to Dave Waywell by his Partner

the lovely Kath Hoyer

Dave is a legend in is own right. He is well known and highly thought of in the running sector and also in the Fire Service, for which he served for over 30 years. Although the lads in the Fire Service make little jokes about him like, “How does Dave keep warm during the winter? .... He turns the lights on”... ha-ha!! J Joking apart, he also likes to turn the lights off; he’ll do anything to save money!!! .. lol …J

Seriously though, I have to admire his running ability especially as he survives on a diet of scones with jam and butter!! Dave holds many course records in distances from 10K to Half Marathon, not all are documented, however I did manage to find a few after searching on the Internet. Dave’s time of 34.58 in the Kirkham 10K back in 2002 when he was 58 years old, is a truly outstanding performance that surpasses all others. Three years later, at the age of 61, Dave holds the V60 course record in the 2005 Ulverston Summer 10K with an equally remarkable time of 36.18 … J

KIRKHAM 10K COURSE RECORDS
Category	Year	Name	Time	Club
Men Open	1999	Andy Morgan-Lee	30.53	Salford Harriers
M40	2000	Paul Muller	31.52	Wrekin
M45	2002	Paul Muller	32.07	Horwich RMI
M50	2002	Ken Moss	34.14	Northern Vets
M55	2002	Dave Waywell	34.58	Wesham Road Runners
M60	2004	Dave Waywell	36.45	Wesham Road Runners
M65	2004	Ted Orrell	42.12	Clayton-le-Moors
M70	2005	John Winters	45.02	Blackpool & Fylde AC
CONISTON 14 COURSE RECORDS
Category	Year	Name	Time	Club
Men Open	1989	R Dooney	69.25
M40	1989	F Reeves	74.27
M45	1998	R Firth	77.30
M50	1999	S Moore	78.25
M55	2004	J Bell	80.11
M60	2005	Dave Waywell	86.14	Wesham Road Runners
M65	1006	G Booth	87.42
M70	2000	W McNeal	95.28

Although sadly nowadays Dave’s times are getting just that little bit slower!!! … Bless! L However, that doesn’t stop him from enjoying his running as this little picture shows. He never misses a chance to get in with the gorgeous Wesham girlies, and who can blame him? At his age he has to make the most of life’s small pleasures!! .. Hee hee! J

This photo was taken at the Serpentine 5 Miler in May 2010 with Helen, Carmel, Sarah and little moi... J

Even at the age of 65 the ladies are still chasing after him in races and following in his footsteps here is Izzy Hughes from Burnden Road Runners trying her best to keep up with Dave at the Withins Skyline Fell Race in Haworth, October 2009. J

Almost as famous as Dave is his trusted car, which has transported all sorts of things to and from races. The list is endless, and who can forget the infamous traffic cones, marshal bibs, race forms, and magazines, fold up tables, water bottles, distance markers, megaphone to start the race and out of date goody bags!! … Hmmm, something else he’s infamous for!!! J You name it; everything has been in the back of Dave’s car!! .. Hee hee!

As you can see here, he even uses it to change into his Wesham vest, which believe me has seen better days!! J

Of course Dave is very versatile and tackles races on and off road, excelling on both terrains. J

Here’s Dave in action at the Round Hill Fell Race in August 2009 and the Longridge Christmas Pudding Race in December 2009. The likeness is uncanny... only his muddy legs can tell them apart ... ha-ha! J Of course Dave is very versatile and tackles races on and off road, excelling on both terrains. J

Then there’s Dave, Race Organiser extraordinaire, chief marshal and timekeeper, a mind of knowledge, approachable, friend and joker, with a wicked sense of humour ... a true ‘peoples person’ ... he has many guises..

Here he is with his nose plaster. Apparently it helps him breathe when he’s running. I’ll never forget when he first started using them; we were at the Hawkshead 10K and had been warned that something funny was going to happen. In the distance we could see Martin Bates and Pete Cruse coming towards us from their warm up just before the race. As they got closer I couldn’t believe what I saw. They both had big plasters stuck on their noses, (not the ones that help you breathe but the ones that stop you from bleeding). It was so funny, we just couldn’t stop laughing!! J

There are so many stories to tell about Dave as he is infamous all over the country. Various injuries have contributed towards Dave’s running times deteriorating over the recent years, however here is a letter sent to the Halifax Courier following Dave’s outstanding run at the tough and very hilly Stainland 7 which we both ran in September 2009 when Dave was 65 years of age .. So, as they say... “It’s not all over yet!!” J

The article was headed simply - WHY NO MENTION FOR DAVE?

The letter written by Andy Barker from Barkisland, nr Stainland, it read –

“As a first time unattached participant, I read the Halifax Courier report on the Stainland Lions Seven Mile Road Race with keen interest, but found it sad that no mention was made of veteran Dave Waywell of Wesham Road Runners.

Mr. Waywell, aged somewhere between 65 and 69 completed the extremely demanding seven-mile course in 50 mins 30 secs, not only winning his class and the aged 60 to 64 class into the bargain, but taking 15^th position overall, a truly remarkable performance that surely deserved inclusion in any report” …………

I couldn’t agree more! J

Written by Kath Hoyer

Submitted 31^st August 2010

Edited by; Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor

Dave Waywell (Waymouth)

I first met Dave in 1975, when I was promoted to Sub Officer in the Fire Brigade and posted to Bispham Fire Station. As Dave’s new Boss, my first impression of him was that he was an obnoxious loudmouth, who argued about every decision that I made. (More than thirty years on nothing has changed), more about this to follow.

We first started running together soon after the start of the running revolution in the early 80’s. Prior to this we were both part of the eight man Lancashire Fire Brigade, Tug of War Team. We were National Champions in both the 660Kg and Catchweight categories.

As you can appreciate, being part of a team and working together in unison is essential in the Fire Brigade, we all have our own personalities, but when it came to getting on with the job, Dave was a vital member of my team.

After several years working together at Bispham Fire Station, (where I taught Dave all that he knew), we parted company on promotion. Dave ended his career as Station Commander at Blackpool Fire Station, (didn’t I teach him well?). He still didn’t, however, have the upper hand as I finished as his Boss, being a Divisional Officer.

As you know Dave is a very keen ‘fishing nut’. He tried on many occasions to get me interested, but unlike him, drowning worms seemed very cruel to me!

Despite my comments opening paragraph, not only did we both become close friends, so did both our families.

I think it is fair to say that Dave became more interested in running, because, he couldn’t stand the fact that, in the early days, I could run faster than him. Believe it or not I used to beat him in some races, the most memorable being the Mersey Marathon in 1984, when, after I had finished, I went back down the course only to find him walking. Being the kind hearted man that I am; I actually carried him over the line so that he could get his medal. (Haven’t times changed?).

Around 1982/3 we started entering races as members of Lancashire Fire Brigade AC. At races we came across other members of the Brigade who were also keen on running. This, in turn, led us on to become friends with other like minded people.

It wasn’t long before I was meeting up, (on Monday nights), with other people from the Wesham area and going out on training runs as a group. The Club was formulated in 1985. Dave became more interested in running and it wasn’t long before he joined the Club. The rest is history.

How do I finalise this tribute to Dave? Yes he is still an obnoxious loudmouth but he is one of the kindest people I have ever known. He will do anything and everything to help other people, nothing is too great. His organisational skills are second to none.

For me it has been a privilege to have known Dave for over 30 years, we take the p**s out of each other constantly, no offence is ever taken on both sides. Only true friends can survive on these terms. Long may our friendship continue. Yes, I can say that not only is Dave one of my best friends, but he is also a best friend of all my family.

Written by: John (Still the Boss) Whiteman

Submitted: 6^th August 2010

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor

OUR CHAIRMAN

Our Chairman, my first meeting of him was interesting shall I say. I arrived at the club with a friend of mine who I had been running with at the gym to be greeted in a very welcoming manner and by what I can only describe as a scruffy, unshaven man................and that hasn’t changed much. Occasionally he does have a shave, probably when Kath makes him as they are going out maybe to a wedding or WRR dinner dance!!!!!!!!! He asked me what pace I ran at which I duly told him, albeit in kilometres, which he wasn’t impressed with as he wanted to know what it was in miles. I hadn’t a clue as all the machines in the gym were in kilometres so I got sent out with Brian Porter on the Wrea Green loop which nearly killed me - it was toooooooooo fast.

First impressions of Dave bear no resemblance to the person he is or what he does. Dave is one of the good guys who doesn’t know how to say ‘no’ to anybody and there are not many people this day and age who would give all their time to a club. He should have support from everyone not just a few who regularly turn out when he says those three little words ‘I need marshals’ on a regular basis. One thing you can rely on with Dave is the goodie bag though sometimes you wonder if he is trying to poison you when you look at the dates, but he always comes up with something to show his thanks.

I cannot think of anything bad to say about this guy. He has voice nearly as loud as Mr. Porter’s which is a plus for organising events when you need quiet and he has a heart made out of 18 carat gold.

Dave, thank you for what you do for the club. We would be a lot worse off without you and please keep it up. Long may your knee hold up so you can continue running in the future.

Written by: Kerry Eccles

Submitted: 29^th August 2010

Tribute to Dave Waywell

I’ve known Dave since joining the club in 2003. Martin Bates introduced me to him and he was a V55 at the time. I’ll beat him easy I thought, he’s an old man! Suffice to say I got nowhere near him and it took me three years to catch up to him and pass him! But, the fact that at the age of 92 (or whatever he is now), he can still knock out 40 minute 10K’s which says volumes about him – and he can still sit on my shoulder in cross country. As a club we are very proud to have so many super vets besides Dave- Alex Rowe, Gary Pendlebury, Mike Walsh, Alan Hudson and Barry Peatfield. I suppose us younger generation have a lot to live up to?

Dave is not only a great runner but a great chairman for the club. How many races does he help organise, run, or marshal during the year for Wesham? St Annes 10 (x2), Wesham Interclub, Cuerden Valley trail race, Rudolf race, 3 team relays, WRR Birthday Race, Blue Light 5 mile….and there just the ones I can name from the top of my head. As a runner it’s important that there is someone like Dave who puts in the time and effort to organise so many races so that our time and effort in running the things can be tested!

Dave is the, (warning – corny language coming up!), ‘Cherry on the Wesham cake.’

From behalf of Wesham Road Runners – Thank you.

Written by: Steve Myerscough

Submitted: 15^th September 2010

WHAT A QUIET CHAP!

When Brenda mentioned that it would be nice if I could write a little about Dave Waywell for the next magazine, I instantly realised that he had made a big enough impression on me over the last year or so for it to be very easy to do.

I suppose the first time I ever properly met Dave would have been at my first Monday night at Carr Hill School last summer. His usual gentle style of opening proceedings on a training night caught my attention pretty swiftly. I am always a bit mesmerised by people who are very outgoing and Dave probably had that kind of first impression on me, in honesty he probably still has.

His brash manner of getting to the point is usually the only way to get the attention of everyone at training. Thankfully he doesn’t see a reason to hold back, so we get out running without too much waiting for everyone to finish chattering about how fast they had been on Sunday. I am always a bit jealous of people with this ability to get a group’s attention and be comfortable with everyone listening to them. Being a shy person by nature I would be mortified to be in Dave’s position.

From the first conversations I had with Dave I realised he was the kind of person that had made me decide to join Wesham. He was so friendly that you would have thought I had known him for years and, as always, was very positive about my running, even though I am well below his standard. It was actually meeting people like his lad Pete and his friend Simon, that helped Angela and I make our decision to become members of “The Friendly Club”, so it should not have been such a surprise that Dave was so welcoming.

The old bugger is also quite inspirational to me. When I see him hobbling about like an old First World War veteran before a race, he actually makes me look fit and healthy. The race then starts and I see him glide off into the distance while I shuffle along. How much more of a point do you need to have to make about never giving in to adversity than that? There’s a saying about ‘you only have one life, so live it’ and Dave really shows you that he is going to do just that. This really motivates me to continue trailing behind him in races as fast as my sluggish legs will carry me!

Hopefully he will keep his mouth and legs in full motion for many years to come, while keeping us all laughing. I am sure Kath will keep him trotting up the fells for a while yet and Bossman will continue to bait him with their usual high level of banter that is just so fantastically entertaining. As for me, I will carry on being amazed by how easy he finds it to be so publicly vocal and to be in great humility of how quick he can run for a man of 200 years of age.

Written by: Charles Colby

Submitted: 30^th September 2010

Chairman Dave.

As a top class athlete, Club Chairman, Race Director and of course fishing, or ‘worm drowning’, as the Bossman calls it, I sometimes think that Dave has developed the ability to manufacture time. How else would he be able to do all that he does?

Since taking over as Chairman in 2003, Dave has worked tirelessly to promote and develop the club. As well as acting as Race Director for the Wesham 10k, he also organises several other local races which are not only popular and enjoyable to take part in but several of them bring in useful extra finance to the club. Events such as the Birthday Race and the Round the Park Relays are great fun and always offer a galaxy of, shall we say, interesting, varied and calorie free prizes.

As an athlete, Dave continues to set the standard in his age category. Battling against and overcoming injuries that would have seen many retire from the sport long ago, He continues to win prizes at many races, including, for instance, the gold medal at the recent Lancashire 5 mile Championships.

Perhaps the most enjoyable time spent in Dave’s company is on Thursday morning “Wrinkly Runs”. Apart from being the only runs where I can keep up with him, the “Waywell and Whiteman” double act is always entertaining wherever we are. Dave and John are often the star turn of the “Where the Hell Are We Brigade”.

Well-done and thank you Dave, for all that you do, both for Wesham R.R. and for the sport in general.

Written by: Dave Young.

Submitted: 17^th October 2010