Sad News
Harriers legend, Dave Lacy sadly passed away on Saturday morning. Dave was one of the finest British veteran marathon and ultra runners ever. Dave Wright commented on Facebook that Dave was his best man, was a great friend and a brilliant, kind human being.
Dave Lacy was proud to run in the green vest in so many races for Colchester Joggers/ Harriers since the Late 1980’s. Dave had one of the fastest times ever for an over 50 completing the London Marathon in 2 hrs 28 mins 46 secs. At Age 51 Dave also represented Great Britain in the senior team in the 100km world Championships clocking sub 7 hrs 30 mins.
I am told that Dave, who liked a Guinness or two, was out on Friday evening with having a beer with his grandson.
Dave leaves a true legacy to all who were lucky enough to know him. A Guinness tonight is without doubt the best way to celebrate his life.
Here are some of the messages that have been posted on Facebook
Roy Moore, Legend, sadly missed RIP
Bill Murray, I was lucky enough to know him
Chris Akehurst, RIP Dave, as a runner you were a legend. Nearly always in front of me, I can only remember you overtaking me once after about a mile in a five mile race. You still finished a couple of minutes ahead of me! Your raffles at the Friday night meetings were legendry too.
Simon Smith, Sad to hear. Top man, a club legend.
Chris Manby, Sad news RIP
Sue Cole, We’re so shocked to hear this sad news.
Sue Foley, Sorry to hear this news. I only knew of Dave from seeing him regularly at Castle Park during parkrun, keenly observing runners as he stood on the diagonal path and by the front of the Castle.
Louise Yates, So sad to hear of the passing of Dave. He was a lovely man; he will be missed xx
Geoffrey Tomlinson, That’s very sad news. I often thought about Dave Lacy, and what a great runner and person he was RIP.
John Carter, He will be sadly missed RIP.
Philip Knights, Will be sadly missed by many RIP
Kate Sandercock, Oh my. He was such a star. Great though that he was happy and healthy right until the end of his amazing life.
Rachel Richardson-Wright, A true friend. An absolute legend. So honoured for him to be our best man. He will be so missed by all who were lucky enough to know him. A sad day indeed.
Jenny Copley, How sad, we remember him well. Great person, great legend, very kind, I’m sure he will be greatly missed. We’ll raise a glass of Guinness to him, Adrian and Jenny
Paul McHugh, Sad news
Keith Marley, So sorry to hear this Dave, but as you say, he was a fantastic athlete and a lovely person.
Richard Millward, Will miss seeing Dave at parkrun. Always there giving you a cheer.
Elizabeth Cahill, Was very shocked and saddened to hear this earlier this morning and yes he will be missed by many. RIP Dave
Charlotte Smith, Very sad and sorry to hear this. Dave was a top bloke x
Richard Flutter, So sad…a lovely guy, superb runner and a Guinness legend. A very sad day
Andrew Kearton, So sorry to hear this. Dave was a top bloke, great sense of humour and a top athlete
John Turton, That’s sad to hear! We often raced together in the green machine colours! U could never count him out in a race and I could always recognise him from his unique running style! A tough competitor with a great sense of humour! RIP Dave!
Roy Bennington, An absolute legend, he will be missed but remembered by all who knew him
Rachel Abbott, So very sad to hear this, only two weeks ago he sent the grandchildren some book tokens – one of the most kind and generous person you would ever meet x RIP Dave have a Guinness or two x
Nicola Healey, Such sad news to hear, he was an absolute legend. I remember when we were running Boston marathon, he had been out in an Irish bar and knocked his front teeth out, still ran an amazing time and I think won his age category!! xx
Tracy Cottis, Sorry to hear the news, he was a very special man
Laura Stott-Allworthy, Sorry to hear of this. What a legend. Dave & I will raise a Guinness tonight xx
Andrew Jobling, Sorry to hear this, Dave was a true Harriers legend
Richard Knights, RIP Dave! So many good memories over the years especially at the grizzly!!!
Mark Gamble-Thompson, Dave Lacy was a true gentleman and great runner. My dad met him when he raced in Colchester. They both knew of each other and had a shared respect. RIP.
Daniel King, Sorry to hear about Dave’s passing, he was a top bloke and inspiration to many at the club and beyond. 2:28 marathon for 50+ was incredible!
Melissa Davis, I’ll have a drink for him too, to celebrate his life
Colin Aubrey Thackwell, Very sad news indeed. RIP Dave
Sarah Stradling, He will be missed by all. Such a lovely man. R.I.P Dave xxx
Debbie Cattermole, Was so sad to hear this, yes a lovely man, enjoyed a few beers with him at his popular CAMRA days in the St. Mary’s Art Centre. Truly missed, thoughts go out to his family xx
Sean Ketteridge, Sad news passing of a true legend, and a true gent
Adrian Mussett, Such sad news, Dave was such an inspiration. Will have a Guinness in his honour. RIP Dave.
Steve Woolcock, It is very sad to hear this news. I was one of those lucky runners to have the privilege of knowing Dave, trying (and failing) to keep up with him, back in the 80’s and 90’s.
John Wheatley, Sorry to hear this. May he rest in peace.
Dave Simpson
RIP Dave a true legend
Trudi Carter
Your outpouring of love for Dave has both moved me greatly AND made me smile too. Dave was indeed the kindest, most generous ( damn inappropriate at times🫢) man and nobody would disagree he was a true legend! For my part, Dave was my Dave and I will always love and treasure every moment we shared. Thank you for being you Dave.. until we meet again ❤️❤️🩹❤️
Steve Hoy
Hi Trudi,
So sorry to hear of Daves passing, he was a fantastic man and such a funny guy who it was a pleasure knowing.
Condolences to you and all the family.
RIP Dave.
Linda and Steve Hoy
Trudi Carter
Thank you Steve and Linda, Dave often
Mentioned you in conversation.. he was a loyal and true friend and yes, he was loved and will be missed by so many.. keep him in your hearts and memories 😔
Malcolm Statham
i liked dave,he was always good for a witty comment,after i did london in 2006 i think it was i saw him after running london and he said we should go for a drink,we went down these dodgy stairs into a dive pub which was full of great people,we had 4 0r 5 beers and i was hammered after running a marathon as i was so dehydrated,i avoided drinking after marathons after that lol,and the coach raffle prizes were only slightly better than the generation game ones lol,so sad to hear his pasing,he never realy spoke about how good a runner he was,all my best to his family.xx .
greg mcdowell
such a loose he was a friend a gentleman, an fantatic runner ,i have in the many years i have known him and that is over 30 i think now ,
have learnt so much from him and i can say with how much i will miss his laugh and his company
the loose ibig to the runnering world
i was going to the see him tomarrow i cant not be believe i wont see him again
John Hyland
From John Hyland
Sorry to hear of the loss of Dave, his dedication and determination for the love of running over the years was there for all to see, he has left his mark in the sport and has set a good example to the next generation of runners in Colchester and District, cannot do better than that—condolences to the family. Rest in peace Dave.
Jamee lacy
Grandad i will miss you so much. You were my absolute world. Me and dexter loved you so much and I feel so sad that we wont see you again, you got me through my darkest times and were always listening to me rant and supported me and giving me advice. Sleep tight I am so glad I named dexter after you ❤️😭 ( dexter david lacy. My grandad was david lacy ❤️ ) I love you so much and I will always be thinking of you. Dexter will always know who you were i will always tell.him.about younand show him the photos 💔 you were amazing and such an amazing man. I am absolutely heartbroken my favourite man has gone 💔😭 sleep tight grandad. I love you and always will xx
Trudi carter
I would just like to say ‘thank you’ to Alex Sales.. no, I don’t know you but Dave did and he liked you.. that makes you a real good guy in my book! Thank you Alex for the beautiful card you sent to myself and all the family, we truly appreciate your thoughtfulness. And it made me smile when I read your story from Dave Wright.. it may or may not be true Alex, I couldn’t possibly say 🫢
Glen Robertson
Just heard today at highwoods parkrun about the sad news of Daves passing,
I had know Dave fot getting on for 40 years and most lasting memory I have of Dave and there were many
was a race on Mersea island was his elastic in his shorts snapped and he ran most of the race holding his waistband to stop his shorts falling down and he still was one of the front runners and the Dublin Marathons where the Guinness was flowing and he still won his age group,
What a Man, what a Friend,
Love to Trudi and Family at this sad time ❤️