Heart attack in race kills running coach
Shock at death of much-loved marathon man
A SUPERFIT running coach died after suffering a suspected heart attack during a 5k race.
Derek Adamson, 58, from Kirkcaldy, took unwell at Alness parkrun in Ross-shire on March 9. He was treated at the scene with a defibrillator by Parkrun volunteers before being rushed to hospital in Inverness. He passed away on Saturday. His sudden death has sent shockwaves through the running community in Scotland. Fife Athletic Club led the tributes to the “muchloved” coach, who helped countless runners throughout the years. In a statement, it said: “Derek was a very active member of the Kirkcaldy Wizards and played a huge part in the running of the club. Our thoughts go out to Derek’s family and his loved ones at this difficult time.”
Friend Rolf Günnemann ran the Alloa half marathon on Sunday in Derek’s memory.
He said: “Derek Adamson was so much more than a coach and a runner. He was someone who always looked out for and encouraged others.
“He was a softly spoken, quiet man but his words always carried weight. He clocked up more than 200 half marathons, travelling everywhere from Benidorm to Coll. He helped countless runners reach their best potential.”
Attendees at Kirkcaldy Parkrun, where Derek was a regular, plan to honour him this coming Saturday.
Posting on social media, the event team said: “We would like to remember him at the Kirkcaldy Parkrun this weekend. Wherever he ran, Derek wore his cap so we would like to ask, if you have a cap, to wear it this Saturday.”
As well as completing over 200 half marathons Derek also ran the London Marathon twice as part of a Fife AC ballot entry.