This is how Andrew became one of us, a Blackburn Road Runner. He was proud of us and we were extremely proud of him but he contributed much more than his own description suggests. He soon became a committee member, supporting and helping with all activities whenever he could including our annual 10k race, getting up before 5am to put out the signs- A job which few wanted to fill. He won best male improver in 2012. Only a few months ago he led a group of ladies, the appropriately named ‘ Boardettes’ to marathon success in Liverpool. He gave every one of them belief they could do it, trained with them weekly and paced them across the 26.2 mile finish line. To say they were grateful was an understatement.
Only a few weeks ago he had scaled Snowdon in a Half Marathon. He often liked to challenge himself and be different in what he entered. He was inspired by local sporting heros like Brian Fogarty and Phil White. With the help of his personal trainer Mikey, he was the fittest he had ever been. His running times had plummeted, he looked svelte and he was loving his new found success. He was in a great place. He loved racing and loved supporting others but he was undoubtedly one of the nicest, selfless and most genuine people any of us had the fortune to meet. He didn’t judge others, he accepted all for who they were and as such everybody has their OWN happy story to tell about Andrew. It was a privilege to have called him a true friend.