It is with great sadness that Welsh Athletics have to report the death of Alan Thomas last Saturday 5th November after a long illness, bravely fought. He was 75.
Alan joined Les Croupiers Running Club in 1988 through his friendship with Reg Rossiter, who was Race Director of the Welsh Castles Relay at the time. Alan quickly became involved in the organisation of the event, and played a major part in its success over the next 23 years. Given the complexities of the race, this became a year-round organisational task, with each leg meticulously scrutinised at regular intervals with the safety of all participants of paramount importance.
Alan was a man who made things happen. His direct approach left no one in any doubt as to what was expected of them. To the membership of Les Croupiers he was simply “Mr Castles”.
His ongoing illness made things increasingly difficult for him, but he was determined to oversee this year’s race as usual in his trademark headgear befitting “the Ayatollah”.
At the Welsh Athletics AGM, Alan was nominated for a Meritorious Award for services to the sport in Wales. It was a very humbling and emotional moment to be able to present him with this award to a packed clubhouse just two weeks ago.
Our thoughts go out to Alan’s wife, Jean, and to their two sons and daughters and their respective families.
The funeral will take place on Monday 14 November at 10.30AM at Greater Gwent Crematorium, Cwmbran, off the A4042 on the road to Llandegveth and next to the Green Meadow Golf Club.
Mick McGeoch