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Last weekend St. Edmund Pacers Running Club received the news that coach Bert Tarpley had passed away after being ill for some time. Bert Tarpley was a cornerstone of our club, a founding member in 1978, he was to become a father figure much loved and admired by all with whom he came into contact.
‘Enthusiasm’ is the only word to describe Bert’s approach to running, a sport which he loved with a passion he had the skill and patience to convey to everyone. Bert organised his famous Breakfast Runs, getting up at 6.a.m. on most mornings to take runners, often beginners for whom he was such a guiding light, around the streets and lanes of Bury, enthusing and encouraging along the way. As a coach Bert would offer advice to runners regardless of age, gender or ability, the one qualification required was the will to run which he could fashion into something special for everyone concerned.
In 2002, Bert was the winner of the Bury Free Press Sports awards Coach of the Year. I was charged with the honour of getting Bert to the awards without his knowing he had won. Fortunately another of our runners, Peter Bailey, had won an award in the Sportsman of Courage category. The two were great friends, allowing me the opportunity to tell each of them that the other had won and would appreciate their presence. This happy subterfuge worked like a dream and both were as delighted as they were surprised by the evening. Bert received handshake after handshake at the awards and was genuinely moved by the affection and regard in which he was held.
Bert had been nominated for the award by members of St Edmund Pacers Junior Section for whom Bert was, and will remain, a figure loved and respected across the board. From a few hardy youngsters less than 5 years ago, Bert’s Monday evening Junior Club has built to around 40 young runners. From the very first session he organised, the youngsters’ track discipline, enjoyment and improvement in all things running has been quite superb. To witness the joy on Bert’s face as his young charges ran along the avenue of trees in Nowton Park was wonderful. He got the best out of them all through his kindly, enthusiastic approach for which they in turn would do anything. Any parent knows how difficult it is to get a child to do the simplest of tasks at times. Bert would have them whipping off shoes and socks and running barefoot around the track with no sign of rebellion. They worked hard and they improved as a result of the respect in which they held him.
Fellow founder-member of St. Edmund Pacers Robert Price describes Bert as the ‘mainstay of local running since 1978. He took all from the 15 minute mile plodder to the best under his wing. The one word was enthusiasm and he would do anything for you.’ Rod Allard was also there from the start and described Bert as ‘An inspiration to all. Age or ability made no difference to him. This is a really sad loss to the club.’ Chris Austin, who wrote this column before me and was for many years the club’s secretary, said that Bert ‘Epitomises everything that is good about running. His enthusiasm rubbed off on everyone, particularly the youngsters. The hoards of young runners that come to our Monday night training sessions hung on his every word.’ Jim Norris, one of Bert’s original youngsters is one of those runners and has done very well under his tutelage. He describes Bert as ‘Someone who would ask when your next race was and wish you good luck. He was full of advice and would check on your progress. He was a great ambassador for running and full of enthusiasm.
To his family St. Edmund Pacers Running Club and all its members extend their condolences at this sad time. In the youngsters that Bert inspired lies his spirit of enthusiasm which, I have no doubt, will be carried forward into generations beyond. The world is a poorer place without Bert Tarpley, but a much richer one for having been graced by his presence.
By Richard Whiting
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