Pete Wass (1965- 2022) -  Club Legend

It was in the early summer of 2005 when I placed an advert in the newly founded Tickhill Today asking if any runners within the town wanted to join together and form a running club. I had a few responses and one of them was from Pete. On June 15th 2005, myself, Pete and Paul Bibby met at the cricket club and the running club was officially formed. Paul became Chair, Pete became Secretary and I the role of Treasurer. On that day we decided the club colours would be Navy/Sky, we would apply for affiliation to England Athletics, we talked about our determination to runners of all abilities, and deliberated about ambitions of growing the club to around fifteen members! We exchanged humorous running related stories and I knew then that I had met two people that would become long-time friends.We were told the club would not last, it had been tried before, but we carried on anyway, ‘what will be, will be’, and within the first few weeks the numbers grew to seven. Pete had an infectious sense of humour and was welcoming of everyone, characteristics vital in creating a successful all-inclusive club. It was Pete who designed the club logo and came up with the club name, Tickhill Running & Athletic Club (TRAC).

Pete was well known and admired in Tickhill and other local running communities which no doubt helped the club to thrive. In a short period of time we had created the Tickhill gala run, had our own qualified coach, and introduced the first beginners course. As a committee we were stunned by the clubs success which at one point reached in excess of one hundred members. We were told often that TRAC was not an athletic club that could produce competitive runners, we were a social running club. This was welcome feedback, as it was exactly what we had set out to do. I thank Pete and the supporting committee for keeping us grounded in that way and sticking with the agenda we started with. 

I have many memories of Pete that I will cherish and many more that I missed out on by uprooting to Scotland. I recall fondly our first trip to see the kit manufacturer in Sutton-in-Ashfield. We were presented with options for vests and shorts. Some of the options for shorts , let’s just say, ‘lacked material’ and this amused Pete, as he jokingly considered our runners representing the town in such attire and the adverse effect this might have on the retirement community and the towns proud reputation. So, a small batch made it onto the first order, though I think he left the purchasing of them to other members 

Without Pete’s willingness, desire and dedication to contribute to the Tickhill community, which he also did in many other ways, there would not be a running club in Tickhill. When I heard of his passing, a friend sent me a message, ‘There was only one Pete Wass’ it read. I think that is befitting, he will be sorely missed, a true club legend.

 

Ryan Cudworth