Obituaries
Centurions
Peter Ryan
C934
Peter passed away in 2020.
Tributes from fellow Centurions
How very sad indeed. Pete travelled the country competing, this was the Forres Harriers 10k event from Brodie Castle and I was the lead cyclist. The previous year Pete turned up at the Glen Moray (distillery) 10k. I was timekeeping and looked up in time to see an ‘old school’ race walker finishing. Turned out to be Pete whom I had not seen for years. Great bloke. Alex Ross
How much more awful news will it be your lot to share? I had no idea Peter was ill although I had wondered where he was having not heard from him for some time. My Centurion qualification will always be linked with Pete's. He finished with a phenomenal lilt to port, or starboard, I forgot which. But it was an amazing weekend. Cath Duhig
Very sad. I met and had coffee with Peter afterwards at Littlehampton Parkrun last year having previously met and chatted with him at the International cross Country in Edinburgh's Hollyrood Park in 2017. A fine walker in his day and a really nice bloke. Alan Buchanan
This is indeed sad news. And even sadder that he can't have had visitors. I remember hin from his momentous 2003 100 mile championship in Newmarket where he won despite his severe list. Pete also went to Roubaix to compete in the 28 hour race. Kathy Crilley
Sadly, another longstanding race-walker will be with us no longer. We are getting thin on the ground with few younger replacements. Richard Cole
Very sad news. Please send my condolences. Your health is your wealth! Angus Browne
This is the saddest news. I have only fond memories of Peter, can't believe his passing away...Neringa Masilioniene
Simply dreadful news. I didn't even know Pete was unwell. Steve Uttley
What incredibly sad news. Oliver Flynn
Very sad to read this. Bloody Pancreatic Cancer! Hilary McDermott
Very sad news indeed. I only saw him at his twin brother's funeral last year. Helen Elleker
Very sad news indeed to hear of Peter Ryan. He is one of our favourite race walking friends. A fierce competitor who always gave his all! We have some fond memories of him and Denis Sheppard on the Phil Collins coach trips for the annual Chippenham to Calne at this time of year. He was a true loyal supporter of 'real race walking' - not what we frequently witness at International level nowadays. Bill and Kath Sutherland
It is so sad that he has been stricken with this dreadful illness. Pete was a great character and enjoyed race walk/sports chat. Peter Selby
Very sad. Steve Till
Very sad news. Peter, a sportsman and a gentleman, great sense of humour who says things as he sees it, great company and always a real pleasure to meet up with, a privilege to able to call a friend. It was fantastic to see him achieve one of his goals at the National 100 mile Championship a few years ago with a typical brave performance. Mark Williams
Very sad to hear of this tremendous endurance athlete, always a great support. Kevin Marshall
I was on duty at Newmarket when Peter became Centurion No.984. It was a very gutsy performance, during the latter stages he developed a very severe lean to the right. he competed in many Police and masters events, always very competitive. So many memories! Eric Horwill
My thoughts and prayers are of and with him. Geoff Hunwicks
Sad news indeed. Len Ruddock
So sorry to hear this. I last bumped into Pete during preparations for the 2017 World Athletics Championships walks. He was helping to set up one of the drinks stations and I would be live race commentating on The Mall later that day. It was while strolling by Buckingham Palace enjoying the sunshine that I was snapped out of my daydream by a loud friendly abusive shout from a familiar Yorkshire voice. I turned and spotted the toothy grin of Pete Ryan, clearly pleased with his witty comment. It was a pleasure to see him, as it always was over the previous 40 odd years. Chris Maddocks
More sad news - he was a nice guy. Gary Smith
Very sad. Hopefully the messages will have brought him some comfort. Irene & Mike Bateman
His presence will be sorely missed by the race walking community, at home and abroad. Tony Taylor.
Sorry to hear this. Pretty young age to lose his life, condolences to his Pete's family and all at Ilford AC, sounds like a very talented race walker and a nice guy. Tom Goldsmith (Time FM Radio)
So sorry to hear the news. I remember he was the only winner of the Steve Gower 20 mile Memorial Race. Jeanette Street
Pete arrived on the Ilford AC running scene with us a few years' ago and he did several East London 5s (ELVIS) events and indeed pushed me very close. Andy Catton
Another great loss to our diminshing band of walkers. We remember good trips we had with him. Ron Penfold
He packed an amazing palmary into a relatively short life. An example in many ways for us to aspire. Ciao. Roger Mills
Sad news indeed. RIP, never to be forgotten. Sandra Brown
So sorry to hear this. Nicola Hopkinson
In recent times, one of my journalistic gigs was following Woking FC. Peter was a letter day supporter, and we conversed by mail etc., about the Cards, as they were known. He was an affable, friendly and a tough competitor, and therefore sadly missed. Paul Warburton.