Memorial fund for tragic fell runner

The wife of a Team GB fell runner who died on holiday in Scotland last month said she did not realise the impact he had on people’s lives until his death.

Chris Smith set off on a run from Invervar near Aberfeldy on the afternoon of Tuesday October 27.

T he 43 - year- old was aiming to tackle a route including four Munros, and planned to return two hours later.

Emergency services were called when he did not return and a search-andrescue operation began. Tragically, Mr Smith’s body was discovered two days later.

A memorial fund has been set up in honour of Mr Smith , who was originally from Aberdeenshire but lived in Haywards Heath, West Sussex, with his wife Lindsay and two young sons Cameron and Alastair.

Mrs Smith said: “There are three reasons why we’d like to do this: first as a legacy for Chris and his two children so they always know how awesome their dad was and continues to be.

“The second reason is I’ve read so many tributes that have referenced Chris giving training tips to others, encouraging less experienced runners – and this has come from everyday joggers right up to people who are now elite athletes.

“From my point of view I guess I didn’t really know how much of an impact he had on other runners from this perspective until this awful thing happened. I want to do something with that.

“And the third reason is because Chris was always positive in everything he did – we very much made things happen together and I can say, hand on heart, if he had anything to do with this, without a doubt, he would have wanted me to do something positive with this tragedy.

“None of this will ever bring him back, and truthfully I would do anything to change that and bring him back, but as a family it will really help us and we hope whatever we decide to do with this money it will one day help other people and in particular other runners.”

Mr Smith’s funeral will take place this afternoon in the village of Cuckfield, near where the family live.

The service will be streamed online for those unable to attend with only a small number of people in the church due to coronavirus restrictions.

Any money raised by the memorial fund will be held by the Sussex Community Foundation with the local support bringing comfort to the family.

LEGACY: Athlete Chris Smith with his wife Lindsay.