Many thanks to Ian Dandy for sharing these words.
The tragic news was announced on Friday of the death of former Preston Harrier John Nuttall. John, who was a British distance runner, sadly died of a sudden heart attack at the age of 56.
John was brought up in Penwortham and started his athletic career with Preston Harriers as a youngster in the early 1980s, and from an early age showed fantastic promise as a middle distance runner. As he rose through the age groups, he won numerous national titles and continued to represent the Harriers.
John was one of the first runners to gain a scholarship in America, moving to Iowa State University, where his athletic career blossomed: he won numerous prestigious races in the USA on the track, in cross country events and also on the road.
He returned to the UK in the early 1990s and stayed loyal to Preston Harriers. As a senior athlete, he went on to represent Great Britain in the Commonwealth and Olympic Games and won a bronze medal at the 1994 Commonwealth Games.
He was a superb cross country runner, winning the English National Championships and also running in numerous World Cross Country Championships. John stayed with Preston Harriers throughout his career and regularly turned out at team events such as the Lancashire, Northern and National road relay events.
Above all, John remained a modest and approachable athlete who always had time for other runners, no matter what their abilities. He remained loyal to our club and he was a true champion and ambassador for Preston Harriers - as a club, we are proud of his association. We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to John's family and friends.
John - thanks for the memories, and everything you did for Preston Harriers.