Dozens of runners pay tribute to John Dalzell at a special 5k social event on Llandudno promenade

*There was a great turnout of runners, friends, and supporters of John Dalzell on the promenade at Llandudno last Saturday night for a special tribute run.

Dozens of runners pay tribute to John Dalzell at a special 5k social event on Llandudno promenade.

Report by Don Hale.

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

 

Dozens of runners and supporters from the North Wales Road Running Club, Dalzell Runners, and from numerous other local running groups, and individuals, took part in a non-competitive 5k run last Saturday night in memory of their colleague and friend John Dalzell, who tragically lost his life twelve-months ago.

Event organisers Jonathan Kettle, and Tony Price-Jones, aided by several others, staged a pleasant social run in his honour, with most runners wearing a special yellow t-shirt and shared their own personal memories of this popular athlete, before later raising a glass to John at the Llandudno Bay Hotel.

*Pictured above and below - runners, friends, and supporters commemorated the life of John Dalzell and raised a glass to his memory at the Llandudno Bay Hotel on Saturday.

Jonathan and Tony are both athletic coaches and members of NWRRC, and John previously attended their weekly training sessions near the ATS unit by Llandudno promenade. Following John’s sudden loss, the pair decided to change the name of their group to acknowledge his contribution to the local running fraternity.

Last year Jonathan confirmed: “After the tragic news of the passing of one of our amazing runners and friends John Dalzell, Tony and I have decided to change the name of the group on a permanent basis from Criw Colwyn to Dalzell Runners in a mark of respect to our friend. 

“I know this is not a big thing but a little mark of respect to an amazing person who will be sadly missed but never forgotten. Rest in peace Mr Dalzell.”

*Some of the supporters are pictured (*above) in their yellow Dalzell Runners t-shirts during their 5k tribute run on Llandudno prom. (*drone photograph courtesy of Terry Westwood).

A special run was held a few weeks later which was well supported, and Jonathan recently decided to organise another similar tribute run, and said: “In memory of the amazing John Dalzell, who we all know lost his life on the 17th August 2023, this year we will be running the John Dalzell Memory Run on Saturday. It will be an easy social 5km lead by myself and Tony to remember our friend and take some time out to talk about our memories of John. 

“After the run it will be really nice if you could all join us at the Llandudno Bay Hotel to raise a glass to John. If you can please wear your Dalzell Runners t-shirts, or North Wales Road Runners Tees, let us know if you can make it.”

In the end over forty runners ran the 5k and chatted about their own personal memories of this extraordinary character and later attended the hotel to meet up with John’s friends, relatives and supporters.

 

*Pictures from happier times (*above left), the late John Dalzell at a race with NWRRC club colleague Steve Bozier, and (*right) John with Tony Price-Jones.

  

*Tony Price Jones and Jonathan Kettle (*above left), and (*above right), Jonathan Kettle is shown with the late John Dalzell, when they were the two-hour pace setters at the Conwy half marathon.