Last Wednesday, Newport & District Running Club came together with Stone Master Marathoners to remember the life of Duncan Strowger, a member of both clubs, who passed away 10 years ago at the age of just 33. Each year in August, the two clubs alternate organising the event between them, and this year it was the turn of Newport. 

Members of NDRC and SMM gathered at The Boat pub to raise a glass in memory of Duncan Strowger

A venue somewhere between the two towns is usually chosen, and this year the event was held in Gnosall, with runners completing an evening run in groups, before meeting at The Boat pub for drinks and food. This year there were three different distances available for runners, with runners taking in the roads, canal, fields, woodland tracks and former railway line around the village.

Members of the NDRC and SMM committees gathered with Duncan’s parents, Anne and John, to lay wreaths at his grave

To mark the 10-year anniversary of Duncan’s passing, the NDRC committee, along with Tim Hulse from Stone, and Duncan’s parents Anne and John, laid wreaths from each club on Duncan’s grave in Edgmond on the Monday prior, before the club-wide event on the Wednesday. Anne and John provided cakes at The Boat, whilst all runners had a drink to toast Duncan’s life after their run.