Almost five weeks has gone by since the death of one of the most influential people in my life, and one of the most influential people ever to have graced the sporting fraternity. That person was a wonderful man by the name of Frank Horwill. Frank died on New Years Day 2012 aged 84. His body may have departed, but his legacy will forever live on in my memory, and in the thousands of other’s whose lives he so selflessly, generously and inspirationally touched. Those words are Frank in a nutshell. Selfless, generous and inspirational. And to that I would add intelligent, witty, non-conformist, loyal, passionate, energetic, and side splittingly funny. He was a man of many talents, some of which I am ashamed to say, I have only truly reflected on, and appreciated, since his passing.
I first met Frank in 2002. As a member of Serpentine running club I used to go down to Battersea track for the Thursday evening training session, where Frank also used to coach a group of athletes – the Horwill Harriers. I got talking to Frank, and was immediately drawn to him, both personally and professionally. He was in his mid-seventies at the time, small of stature but huge of personality. He welcomed all – regardless of ability or background – his only criteria being that an athlete never uttered the word I cant. ‘Only ‘I will try’.
Despite suffering from cancer and…
