Vale John West
It is with great sadness to report that our member John West passed away on Sunday in Orange.
I understand that John joined Orange Runners Club at the end of 1978, making him one of the Clubs first ever members. Since this time John has accumulated an amazing 1377 runs with the Club and has also competed in a lot of fun runs and scored well in Challenge Shield events.
The following is some of John’s sporting achievements (there are many more):
- Competed in the King and Queen of Sport competitions in the late 70’s to early 80s with a 3rd placing in one event.
- 24-3-1985 – finished 7th in the inaugural Orange Triathlon with a time of 2hrs 10mins 35secs for the 700 metre swim, 30 kilometre cycle and 8 kilometre run.
- 4-1-1986 – finished 2nd in the open 1500metres at the Dubbo Athletics New Year Carnival, his time was 4:42.
- 30-4-1989 – 2nd in Runners Club Biathlon with a time of 1 hour 22 minutes 42 seconds for 6 kilometre run, 18 kilometre cycle and 6 kilometre run.
- 1992 NSW Veterans Track and Field Championship with the following results: Gold medal 40 – 45years 3000 metre steeplechase 11:17, bronze medal 40 -45 years 5000 metre 18:11, 6th 1500 metre and 8th discuss.
- 3-6-1993 – NSW Veterans 8k cross country, 1st male 40 – 45 years 31:03.
John loved competing in many athletics events across the country and would always come back home with many medals and a story to tell.
John became a gun walker with many runners having trouble keeping up with him on Wednesday afternoons as he zipped around Elephant Park in around 20 minutes. To complement his walking with the Club, John would ride to Elephant Park or to wherever we would run in the district to improve his fitness.
I will always remember running past or playing cricket on Anzac Park and watching John practising for his athletics carnivals with shot puts, discuses and javelins flying around!
John was heavily involved in coaching cross country and triathlons at Orange High School where he was a teacher and in local soccer where he referred for about 40 years and played for 20.
On behalf of the Club, I wish to pass on my deepest sympathies to Johns wife Margaret, his 6 children and many grandchildren. John has left a significant mark on the Orange sporting community and Orange Runners Club.
Anthony Daintith
ORC President
