‘Heartbreak’ at athlete’s death
Tributes pour in for runner Natasha, 28, who died after collision
Athletes across the West have paid tribute to a former member of the Great Britain bobsleigh team who died after being involved in a collision with a car during an early morning run.
Bath athlete and personal trainer Natasha Lewis died at the scene of the crash near Peasedown St John in Somerset.
Avon and Somerset Police are appealing for witnesses to the collision, which happened on the A367 at Clandown shortly after 6am on April 7.
A 19-year-old man was arrested in connection with the collision and released on bail.
Fellow athletes have described the news as “heartbreaking” and have been paying tribute on social media to the young woman, who dreamed of qualifying for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Growing up, Natasha competed at a national level in different disciplines and, after representing Britain in bobsleigh, she moved into triathlon.
Latterly she was aiming to become an elite long-distance runner.
She and partner Dave Bowler set up personal training business Get Fit in Bath eight years ago and one person paying tribute said the couple “were the vision of such great love”.
Triathlete Kim Barfoot-brace sent an emotional message which described Natasha as a “most incredible athlete” who had “so much love and dedication for what you did”.
“You were always so interested in and supportive of what I was up to even when you stepped back from triathlon,” she added. “Tough on
the outside, underneath you were so caring and fun.
“You and David Bowler were the dream team in the true sense of the expression, soulmates that have touched and made a positive impact on so many lives in our community.”
Natasha, 28, frequently spoke about her love of running which she started at the age of eight and said had kept her grounded and helped her in life as well as fitness.
After winning the Run to the Sea 50km in October last year she said she was currently doing up to 85 miles’ training in a typical week.
“She was incredibly determined and committed, full of life and positive energy,” said a tribute from Team Bath Athletics Club (AC), which described her as a “formidable character and athlete”.
“Behind her steely determination she was kind, caring and fun.
“This is an incredibly tragic loss of an incredible young lady with so much to live for.”
Olympian Emily Diamond described the news as “heartbreaking” and fellow athletes spoke about how she had been an inspiration to so many people.
Bath Rugby also shared a tribute to Natasha, saying she was “a truly incredible woman whose light shone so brightly and whose positive impact touched so many in such a beautiful way”.
The club continued: “Tash and her partner Dave set up Get Fit in Bath eight years ago with one clear aim – to create a community where people can come together to exercise and feel a part of their family.
“They did this in spades, and through our Foundation, we were privileged enough to know them both. They were due to become our official charity ambassadors to recognise the incredible impact they made through community building and fundraising.
“It’s now our turn to wrap our arms around them as they have with us so many times.”
Erika Kelly, who competes for Great Britain in racewalking, posted on Twitter: “You were a literal light in people’s lives with the most generous and happiest soul.”
A Gofundme page set up in Natasha’s honour by Jessica Strickson, to raise money to support the gym and buy running shoes for budding athletes, had a target of £5,000 but raised more than £29,000 on the first day.
Coach Tom Craggs wrote a message on the page, saying it had been an “absolute honour and privilege” to coach Natasha and he was “devastated and heartbroken” at her loss.
She often spoke of how her love of Bath and love of running combined because she trained in a beautiful, natural environment.
Asked what she did with her time off several years ago, she said: “On my very little time off I like to train... as sad as that may sound, it’s in my blood, anyone that knows me knows how much I love to look after my body and to push myself to the absolute limit. My clients always laugh at me when I tell them how much I train – I’m sure they think I’m slightly mad, but I love it!”
But Team Bath AC only saw her as an inspiration and wrote: “RIP Natasha, one of life’s brightest stars that will shine and inspire us to strive for our dreams always.”
The fundraising page can be found at www.gofundme.com/f/inloving-memory-of-tash-lewis
Coach’s tribute: Page 38