It is with sadness that I inform you of the death of Fife Athletic Club & SVHC Member, George Black. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.
The following tribute has been forwarded to us from Graham Bennison.
Not a Sunday Run - George
No Sunday Run today as time to pay tribute to my close friend of 31 years George Black who passed away this Thursday 7th December aged 84.
I first met George back in 1991 when we both represented Scotland at the Home Countries Cross-Country International Race, he an over 55 and I an over 45. Later in 1999 ex Glasgow policeman Sgt Black moved with his family from Leeds to Kingskettle, Fife. He immediately contacted me and we commenced training together, George rapidly became close family!
George was very outspoken, and we argued and debated constantly. Having run for Scotland, George would rib me constantly re England football games. One of his most hilarious pranks was in 2016 at the Ravenscraig Park 2-mile race, England had just famously lost 2-1 to Iceland at the European Championships. I stepped forward at the presentation to receive my over 60 prize which suddenly appeared from behind a corner in an Iceland supermarket bag!
As many of you will know, George was a world-class veteran athlete winning many titles and setting age-group records in cycling, duathlon and athletics. His over 55 20-mile road race record of 1:58 lasted for 20 years or so and is still second on the UK over 55 list. In August 2021, George set an over 80 UK 20-mile record of 3:04.16.
A recent adventure was the Portobello Promethon on New Year’s Day over a 4-mile certified course. I drove us to the event in 2019 and he was determined to return in 2020 as 4-miles was actually a world record distance. That autumn 2019, George set to training with a vengeance including his famous 2-mile run out to Freuchie for a 20 x 400m session along a quiet side road, 2-mile run back, this all aside form long-distance road runs. New Year’s Day 2020 I drove us to Portobello and George not only broke but demolished the over 80 world record with 30 minutes 10 seconds,
We enjoyed many trips together, to Edinburgh, to Glasgow, this year was particularly busy. Early in 2023, George decided to get another dog and adopted a 15-month-old Staffie. We went to Errol car auctions to buy a vehicle with a large boot area, but he was still keeping his much-loved Jag. George loved the fields here around Foodieash and this new dog ‘Blue’, built like a tank, was soon introduced to walkies here at Foodie. George thought Black and Blue went well together. This October, George enjoyed a holiday in Turkey, “Can you look after Blue for a week?” George’s week turned out to be nine days. Returning home, George announced that he was going to visit Cyprus at the end of November (his birthday). He said it might be the last holiday he ever had, but he always said that! He did have a serious incident whilst in Cyprus, but recovered within 24 hours. This past Tuesday, 5th December, George visited here for coffee and chat and 28-hours later, he has gone - it’s all been a massive shock. One could write a book re George’s athletic achievements, and we talked endlessly about the golden age of UK running.
George was always encouraging other athletes and if asked would pass on his advice on training and racing. He meticulously planned his own races and logged his training.
He was a much loved friend and I will miss him terribly.