Stretford Parkrun legend Arthur Walsham to be laid to rest

Arthur Walsham died on January 4, 2024, after becoming a legend at Stretford Parkrun and other parkruns in South Manchester.

Born in Wallasey, Cheshire, on June 22, 1930, Mr Walsham moved to the region at the age of 12, leaving school at the age of 14 and learning to be a telegraphist for the Post Office with which he remained in a range of roles until his retirement in 1988.

He took up running after his conscription to the Royal Signals aged 18 when he was stationed to close to Colombo, Ceylon, where PT sessions in the paddy fields led to him taking part in an 880-yard track race for the first time.

In his memoir, Life on the Run, Mr Walsham said: "Around two weeks before the event I was advised to do some training so I stopped drinking and smoking for the two weeks. After the event it was back to my normal lifestyle."

Mr Walsham signed up to Salford Harriers on his return to the UK but it was later in life he saw his biggest successes as a runner. 

Aged 40 he ran his best time for the marathon, 2:21:38, at Manchester Marathon and he went on to win a number of events in the World Veterans Championships over the years.

On one win in Cologne, Germany, Mr Walsham said: "I read a report of the race and it said I struggled. This wasn't the case because it was one of those times I was confident and in control. It doesn't happen often so you remember when it does."

Mr Walsham ran his last marathon in Kristiansand, Norway, on July 4, 1992, after which he reduced the distance and duration of his regular runs until parkruns became his staple.

He ran more than 300 of them right up until around a year before he died, a lot of them at Longford Park, where more than 800 participants paid tribute to him earlier this month.

Organiser James Moles said: "A number of you will have seen on social media one of our absolute stalwarts of both Stretford Parkrun and running in this community in Greater Manchester since the 1960s, Arthur Walsham, passed away this week. 

"He was well known to all of you and if you don't mind we are going to have a moment of applause and cheering for our friend."

Mr Walsham is to be laid to rest at 11.30am on January 26, 2024, at Stockport Crematorium, Buxton Road, before a celebration of his life at The Moor Club, Heaton Moor Road.

Those who wish to watch the service are asked to email annawalsham@hotmail.com and donations are encouraged to Parkinson's UK via justgiving.com/fundraising/arthur-walsham.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.