It is with great sadness we announce the death of Mike Nunn (aged 77 years) who was a member of Longwood Harriers for over 20 years and almost 32 years with Holmfirth Harriers training with us for many years whilst still with Longwood.
Mike was a talented athlete in his younger days and probably best known for racing the marathon distance. He won the prestigious Yorkshire Marathon Championship in the 1960’s and his PB for the distance was 2.25.12, he also ran 1.47.02 for 20 miles in London (1964), an average of 5.21/mile. Mike was one of a talented group of Longwood athletes that included the 1957 world mile record holder, Derek Ibbotson when training was in a fiercely competitive environment. He represented Longwood at the first ever Holmfirth 15 in 1968, when he finished 3rd counter in 10th place (1.23.30) giving good support to teammates Barrie Stacey (3rd) and Dennis Quinlan (4th), the winner was Dave Atkin of Airedale and Spen Valley in 1.16.55.
Mike’s name appears on the Tony Mellor trophy for winning the Club 5 Handicap race in 1991 at the age of 53. He always tried to encourage athletes to achieve their potential, including his own children. His eldest daughter Debbie won the Yorkshire 10K Road Championship and represented the Yorkshire Cross Country team. She was the winner of the Hugh Lynch Rose Bowl, the Lawton Shield and the Hinchliffe / Crossley Cup. His son Chris won the Slaithwaite Trophy, and The Edgar Whiteley Trophy and Becky also won the Lawton Shield. Many of our current athletes have been inspired by Mike’s enthusiasm and he was often seen at venues around the Holme Valley encouraging athletes on training nights, at Club races and many other competitions supporting the club of which he was proud to be a member. After training nights Mike would always enjoy chatting to the athletes, sharing his experiences, discussing race plans and talking tactics. His wife Jenny thought for many years he should have a new club vest and decided he will wear his new kit at his funeral.
We offer our sincere condolences to his wife Jenny, his children Debbie, Chris, Becky, Jonathan, Matthew, his six grand-children and his many friends in the athletics community where his smiling face will be sadly missed.
His funeral will take place at Huddersfield Crematorium on Thursday 12 March 2015 at 2.45pm, donations in lieu of flowers to Holmfirth Harriers AC.
