As the current race organiser of the Snowdon Race I regretfully announce the loss of our Race President, John Disley, who sadly passed away today, aged 87.
The Welshman, from Corris, won a bronze medal at the 1952 Olympics, co-founded the London Marathon, is the founder of the Snowdonia Marathon, founder of Plas y Brenin Mountain Centre, a pioneer of orienteering, the founder of Reebok – the list goes on.
John contributed so much of his time and wealth of experience to others and the community of Corris. Many of you today, that earn your living within the running, athletics, orienteering and adventure world, owe him a great debt for the vision he had with all of what he has achieved.
I witnessed this first-hand many times during the years he came to Llanberis, visiting Ken Jones and the Snowdon Race team. And again when I became the organiser of the race and most recently when we recorded an interview for BBC Radio Wales at his cottage for the Life of Disley documentary.
Here in Wales, 2016 is the ‘year of adventure’, and today we have lost a loyal, modest, low-key, pure gentlemen, and finally a adventurer – always seeking the next thing.
On behalf of myself, the Snowdon Race committee, past members and life members, our deepest sympathy goes out to John’s family, and we ourselves owe a huge debt to him for what the race has become today.
Diolch / Thank you John Disley, or should it be SIR John Disley
Stephen Edwards
