Tributes for Fred Cowan

Well-kent Fred ran until the end

NICOLA FINDLAY

Tributes have been paid to veteran sportsman who continued to set records well into his eighties.

Fred Cowan, who was a well-kent face in East Kilbride and in athletics circles, passed away aged 88 recently.

Born in Glasgow in 1932 he was the only son in a family of four and was brother to Anne, Jenny and Moira and devoted son of Mary and George.

Athlete Fred moved to East Kilbride in the 60s and trained regularly at the John Wright Sports Centre.

He was married to “love of his life” Jessie, who passed away three years ago, for 52 years, meeting her at Rolls-Royce where they both worked.

After he turned 40, he joined the Scottish Veteran Harriers Club and continued to train and then race in the Scottish Veterans/Masters Track Championships.

The long-time St Leonards resident was awarded the veteran sportsman of the year at the East Kilbride Sports Awards in 2017.

In the 2019 Scottish Masters Indoor Athletics Championship Fred set a new M85 British Masters 400 metres record of 91.97 seconds.

He also broke the existing Scottish Masters 200 metres record with 44.00 seconds.

And in the Outdoor Athletics Championships the same year, Fred set a new 400 metres record of 96.00 seconds.

Family friend Eileen Carrol told the News: “His steely determination was amazing and rain, hail or shine he was out there on the track training and sprinting.

“In his 88 years he touched many people and was an inspiration to the running club at the John Wright Sports Centre where he will be sorely missed.

“He was a quiet, unassuming and caring gentleman and will be missed terribly by his friends, family, neighbours and myself.

“He hoped to reach his 200th birthday or at least his century but sadly it wasn’t to be and after a short illness he passed away peacefully to join his beloved Jessie who passed away three years ago.”

Fred had always been a serious runner and when he was 18 he joined the Royal Air Force and was stationed in Berlin.

But his main role was to represent the armed forces in running competitions. He was due to be mobilised to the Korean War but narrowly escaped this posting due to his invaluable place in the running team.

Fred joined Bellahouston Harriers around 1950 from the West of Scotland Harriers.

He and Jessie were also members of Glasgow Reform Synagogue for over 50 years and regularly attended religious services.

They also participated in many of the social events at the synagogue.

Apart from running, Fred enjoyed ice skating and the cinema and went on some fantastic holidays.

But when he arranged any holidays, he had to make sure that there was access to a running track to allow him to continue with his strict exercise regime.

Eileen added: “Fred had a great love of the cinema and was a walking encyclopaedia for every film and film star that ever graced the silver screen.

“If he’d gone to pubs, and taken part in quizzes he would have been such an asset to any team.

“He loved his videos and DVD’s and amassed the most incredible number of DVD’s you’ve ever seen.”