It is with great sadness that the club announces the death of Rod Futrell (75) who died on Thursday 18th May.  Rod had lived with Parkinson’s and Dementia for a number of years.

Rod joined Holmfirth Harriers in 1975 and was a very good runner on all surfaces, with the fells being his first love. He competed in many of the classic fell races; Three Peaks, Wasdale, Ennerdale and Fairfield.  He regularly ran in the Holmfirth Harriers’ 15-mile race and had run a sub 2 hour 45 min marathon.  He would often run the London Marathon and the Three Peaks within a week or two of each other.

A prolific racer, he was part of many medal-winning cross country teams and arguably the best vets Calderdale Way Relay team the club has put out, as well as the record-breaking Pennine Way Relay attempt in 1986. Rod’s name can be found on the Major Sykes Trophy for the Senior Winter Championships for 1999 and 2000. 

Rod held the role of Club Secretary from 1988-1994. He was involved in the Neiley Pavilion project fundraising events and, given his strong voice with the brilliant MC role he played at many Annual Presentation events, it was a proviso that when the club held a Q&A event at Huddersfield University with several star international athletes, it was that Rod that would be master of ceremonies.

Rod organised the club’s Ian Roberts Fell & Road Relay from its inception in 1980 for over 25 years, and helped with the transition of the event to a fell race in around 2006 and even in relatively recent years he would still help with flagging the course. 

We extend our condolences to Rod’s wife, Betina and son, Oliver, and family.

The funeral will take place on Tuesday 13th June at 1:15pm at Huddersfield Crematorium.

Rod is pictured front, first left, with the Club’s team trophies from 1982

Tinker Cup 2003

Rod racing at the Three Peaks in 2008