Les Croupiers Running Club Forum

It is with great sadness that we have to announce the passing of Alan Bladen.

Alan has been ill of late and spent time in the Heath Hospital; unfortunately Alan lost his battle this morning.

Alan has been a great servant of the Club; he hasn’t been racing as frequently the last few years, but is always the first to put his name forward to help out. At any of the Club events Alan would adopt his normal position marshalling the car park at Sofia Gardens, and nearly every Saturday he was a fixture at parkrun positioned just up from the start, he would normally be the first face you would see.

Alan, thank you for all the years of dedication you gave to Les Croupiers Running Club.

(when we have more details we will pass them on)


FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

Alan's daughter Ann has passed on the following details:

Friday 4th July - Wenallt Chapel at Thornhill Crematorium - 3.30pm

Afterwards at Manor Parc from 4.15pm

DRESS CODE
Alan's daughter Ann has said that the dress code is what ever you feel comfortable wearing, whether it is dark, colourful, combination, whatever. If you want to take a tee shirt to wear afterwards then a Castles one might be a good choice.

Edited by user 02 July 2014 23:02:10(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

He was a true gent and I will dearly miss him rip Alan u will never be forgotten can I suggest a team photo and minute silence before the 2miles on 27th in his memory

Very sad news, was only thinking of Allan at last Saturday's parkrun it was a bit busy where he would normally be marshalling, my condolences to Allan's family.

I visited Alan on Thursday night, before coming down to the club.
His passing away, is a huge shock to me, as he seemed really upbeat and jovial in his manner on Thursday, in fact back to his old self. We shared a few jokes and discussed the Castles relay, as he had been reading and browsing through copies of the Castles results, supplied by Jeff (Aston) and John our Chairman.
Most of you only knew Alan as a marshal or helper at races, but if you could look back through his earlier results, you would find that he was a highly competent club runner, running a 2h-50m London Marathon when over 50 years of age. He also ran for Wales in the British and Irish X/C International. There is too much to write on Alan's contribution to the club, I could write a page about Alan on the "Castles" alone, a true Clubman always in the background, but always around, prepared to help the club.
RIP Alan, you have really given me one of the biggest shocks of my life.

Edited by user 16 June 2014 21:17:26(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Always friendly, always encouraging, always there whatever the weather. I ran nip and tuck with him many times in recent years, he never gave up but accepted the limitations of time. I think he knew everyone by name. To echo Mel, a true Clubman. RIP Alan

This is very sad news indeed. Alan had been in and out of hospital, but we thought he was on the mend and would bounce back. He will be a huge loss to the club. Most recently we've missed him from parkrun, our club races and from the Welsh Castles Relay. Can we include an obituary for ACE?

So said to hear this. My condolences to his family. Always laughing and telling stories about this race or that race particularly London and the Castles. Always helping out or supporting in some way. Always came and chatted to my Dad and me. Always there at Park Run with his flask of coffee afterwards at Tesco's! Maybe we should do something at Park Run this Saturday ?

Sad News today, Park run won't ever be the same without Alan at the bottom of the steps and is happy cheery voice.

He always made you feel welcome at the parkrun !

I think the number of tributes and their nature speak volumes. Alan was a tenacious competitor, and a dedicated helper and always had a great sense of humour. More to say by way of tribute on Thursday at the Announcements.
Brian's is an excellent idea. We had already suggested Friday week as a way of celebrating another successful Castles Relay after the Summer Series 2 miles at the Cayo Arms. It would good to incorporate this evening as a tribute to the Life and Times of Alan Bladen, a man who really enjoyed the company of the club, and loved to race and have a pint or two afterwards.

Really sorry to hear the news. Alan has contributed massively to the club since I've been a member and is I believe the fastest ever Croups V50 Marathon runner, with 2.49 back in 1987, which is a proud achievement for Alan, apart from his friendliness with everyone.