Pirates Running Club member passes away from heart attack
GREENSIDE – Just days before the Pirates 12km road race, the Pirates Running Club loses a member and a legend.
The Pirates Running Club had a moment of silence at their annual Pirates 21km road race for a fallen member of the club.
Just a day before Valentine’s Day, five days before the 21km race as well as his 63rd birthday, John Stark passed away from a heart attack in the club’s changing room shortly after he finished running a time trial.
According to the club, he was surrounded by friends at the time of his death which included Peter Botha and Ian Benson.
The club said Stark received immediate first aid performed by rugby coach Derek Archer who performed CPR until emergency services arrived, however, they could not resuscitate him.
Stark was considered a running club legend having participated in more than 30 Comrades Marathons and receiving eight silver medals.
The club asked club members to keep Stark’s wife and three daughters in their thoughts during this difficult time.
Bradley Nelson, who deals with marketing at the club, said runners wore black ribbons in remembrance of Stark during the traditional Helpers Run on 17 February, a day before the 21km run.
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