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.