Arthur Walsham: Stretford parkrun tribute to ex-champion

Arthur Walsham was given a guard of honour when he completed his 300th parkrun in 2022

Hundreds of runners have paid tribute to a former world veteran champion who was still doing parkruns in his 90s.

Stretford parkrun held a minute's applause for the "legendary" Arthur Walsham, who died on Thursday aged 93, before setting off for the weekly 5km race at Longford Park, Trafford.

Organiser James Moles said Mr Walsham was an "absolute stalwart" of parkruns, having completed his 300th in 2022.

He said runners wanted to pay tribute to "our great friend".

Born in Wallasey, Mr Walsham moved to the Manchester area in the 1950s.

'Inspired people'

During his career, he won four world veteran championships for athletes aged over 40.

In 1971, he triumphed in the first British veterans cross-country championship.

Mr Walsham's late friend and marathon legend Ron Hill described him as a "runner's runner".

He was given a guard of honour at Longford Park in Stretford, near Manchester, when he completed his 300th parkrun in July 2022.

Hundreds of parkrun runners joined a minute's applause for their "great friend" Arthur Walsham

The much loved runner, who also completed more than 50 marathons, was still taking part in the 5km race until last year when he had to stop due to ill health.

Mr Moles said Mr Walsham, who was well-known at both Stretford parkruns as well as within the Greater Manchester running community since the 1960s, had "sadly passed away on Thursday" and they had organised the minute's applause "for our great friend Arthur".

Richard Turner, who is a regular of the Stretford parkrun, said Mr Walsham was a "legendary runner" and "such an inspiration".

"Every Saturday, I'd look forward to seeing him at parkrun in his Salford Harriers vest, still going into his nineties," he said.

"I always wondered whether everyone who passed him, saying 'Go on, Arthur', really knew what a champion he was.

"Arthur was a true running legend and he'll be sadly missed."

Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, X and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to [e-mail]