Northamptonshire parkrun to pay tribute to popular runner and talented footballer who sadly died aged 43
A parkrun event in Northamptonshire is set to pay tribute to a popular runner and talented footballer, who sadly died aged 43.
Watermeadows parkrun in Towcester will be held in memory of Keith Price on Saturday June 20, and will include a one-minute applause at the start of the run, with all participants invited to wear blue, which was Keith’s favourite colour - as a ‘long-suffering’ Everton fan.
Keith grew up in Towcester and attended Nicholas Hawksmoor and Sponne School, before leaving for the University of Nottingham. After university, Keith returned to Towcester and had lived there ever since.
In May, Keith sadly passed away at the age of 43. He was well-known at the town’s parkrun and the event gave him a positive focus each week, so his family felt it would be a “befitting” way to remember him.
One of Keith’s friends, Ollie, said: “Keith was a very popular lad in Towcester. He was a really lovely and fun lad who was also a very talented footballer.”
A spokesperson for the parkrun event added: “Keith was a true Towcester local.
“For Keith, parkrun provided a powerfully positive focus in his life, giving him the foundation and confidence to go on and successfully complete a full marathon.
“His journey perfectly embodies the spirit of parkrun.”
As part of the tribute, an online fundraiser has also been set up in Keith’s name for The Never Alone Project (TNAP), which organisers say is a “very relevant and worthy charity”.
TNAP provides local support for grieving children and their families or carers in Northamptonshire, in a bid to reduce isolation and create a safe space to deal with grief.
A suggested donation is £1 for every minute a runner is behind Keith’s personal best, which is 20 minutes and 18 seconds. However, the organisers say there is no obligation and any donation will be appreciated.
There will be a QR code available at the parkrun event to donate, or donations can be made here on the JustGiving page.
The event will take place at Watermeadows, Towcester, NN12 6FX on Saturday June 20. Tributes will begin at 8.55am, with the run due to start at 9am.
After the run, family and friends will be meeting at The Old Bakery Cafe next to Watermeadows to share memories of Keith.