Obituary: Michael Ryan – founder member of New Forest Runners Club
FOUNDER member of New Forest Runners Club, Michael Ryan, has died aged 79.
Mike, a lifelong resident of New Milton, served as the club’s president for many years.
A running fanatic, he took part in numerous events in aid of good causes, as well as races throughout Europe and the US.
He was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, in October 1944 to James and Teresa Ryan, and was one of 10 children. He left school at 14 to train as a carpenter, and as a young adult he relocated to Bournemouth, where he lived with relatives.
He took a job building aircraft at Hurn Airport and attended night classes at Bournemouth College. It was during his English literature class that he first encountered his future wife, Glenys Nash.
Mike and Glenys married in 1969, and first set up home in Willowdene Close, New Milton. Following the birth of their daughter Fiona they moved to a bungalow in the town and were joined by their son James five years later.
Mike enjoyed a successful career as a site manager, building for firms including Dunford & Sons, Crest Nicholson and Linden Homes, winning awards for the construction of many local housing developments.
He put his building skills to good use in his own home, too, demolishing and rebuilding the bungalow where he and Glenys lived for around 50 years.
Although Mike enjoyed numerous hobbies, including walking his dogs, camping, and writing poetry, it was his passion for running that made him a familiar figure in New Milton.
Encouraged by Glenys, Mike got into running in the 1980s, and was a founding member of the New Forest Runners.
He also served on the New Forest Ten race committee from the start, and it was to Mike that the Lions Club turned for help and expertise when it wanted to host the New Forest Marathon in 1983.
Over the past 38 years the New Forest Marathon has gone on to raise more than £1.3m supporting over 125 local good causes and community groups.
After years of supporting the New Forest Marathon behind the scenes, Mike chose to participate in the event himself in 2010, marking his 100th marathon.
A committed running coach, Mike delighted in motivating others to give the sport a try. Even when running became more challenging for him in recent years, he continued to actively participate in the club’s social and fundraising events.
He was described by his family as a “loving” husband, father, grandfather and brother, and a “friend to so many”.