The Ryston Runners AC family has been left reeling following the sudden death of Owen Jary.
The popular runner passed away aged 54 and a Ryston statement said: “As a club we shall mourn him. Owen was known and loved by many and what everyone will remember is his kindness; how he was always the first to ask how you are, to congratulate you on a run. No matter how well you did, he was always there with a positive word and a hug.
“As a club, we will remember him, and by doing so support Elaine in this most tragic time, as she will need her friends and running family around her more than ever.”
Tributes quickly poured in and Jeremy Navrady said: “Owen will be missed because he was fundamentally a genuinely consistently effortlessly lovely bloke to compete with, have a chat and see socially.
“The age of 54 is just too young to be taken. There was so much fun to be had, so many glories to enjoy and so much love to share around.
“In life we meet people who you just want to have a good yap with and Owen was one of them. The world is a much sadder place without him but I know we’re all very glad we spent our time with him. He was a top bloke.
Nic Bensley added: “Owen was one of life’s good guys. Always asked ‘How’s Nic’ when he was about. But he didn’t just say this to me, he did it to everyone. He will be sadly missed.
Martin Ive said Owen was the ‘best of us’. “I would describe him in one word – humble. Owen was a credit to the club.
Owen was one of life’s good guys, according to Darren Easter who added: “Myself and Owen first crossed paths in the pubs and clubs of King’s Lynn in the 1990s, then ran into each other again in the local running scene. He always had time for you and never had a bad word for anyone.
For Lisa Harris, she remembered a true gentleman, one of the best.
“I will miss his kind words of encouragement, his genuine interest in what you’re doing and his smile.”
