strathearnharriers.myfastforum.org

ian · Joined: 30 Sep 2007 Posts: 115

It is with great sadness that I have to let you know about the death of one of our members, Dario Melaragni. Dario died yesterday after a suspected heart attack while out running in the hills around Lochnagar.

It was a huge shock to me to get home from the curry night last night and find out the sad news. He was only 46. It is a small consolation to know that he died doing what he loved, running on the hills, with some of the people closest to him.

I have known Dario since I first became involved in the West Highland Way Race in 1998, and since then he has become a very close friend. He completed the WHW race on a number of occasions in the 1990's before taking over as Race Director in 2000. Since that time the race has gone from strength to strength, almost entirely due to Dario's enthusiasm and superb organisation. He has had a number of problems with his back in recent years but still managed to take part in various ultra events, including the Devil o'The Highlands Footrace last year (when Alison and I had the honour of providing his support) and the Perth 24 hour ultra. He still liked to think of himself as an ultra runner first, and organiser second. This year he organised the Cateran Trail race for the first time, and like the WHW race it was a superb, well organised and enjoyable event.

Dario loved the WHW race and those that took part in it. He always had time to answer all questions and to provide guidance to anyone who asked - it was not really possible to have a short chat with Dario! He was friendly with just about everyone who was involved in the race, and demonstrated this year after year at the race prizegiving with his knowledgeable anecdotes about each runner. I know how much he valued the friendship and love of the WHW Family in particular, but also of the whole running community. Phil T and I enjoyed a few 'whisky nights' in Dario's company, testing a few malts from around the country and enjoying a lot of running stories. These were fantastic nights, and I'm devastated that we won't be able to repeat them.

Dario's death is a huge loss to the club and to the ultra running community in Scotland. He will be sadly missed. My thoughts and condolences are with his wife Gillian at this very difficult time.

Ian

Hill Fairy · Joined: 01 Oct 2007 Posts: 163

I simply want to echo Ians thoughts and comments (very well put).
Dario was an extraordinary person who gave so much and had so much to give still. It really is horrible news that those of us that knew him will take a long time to take in properly.
I knew Dario mainly through the WHW but also through the Harriers.
Some of you will remember him doing the Sheriffmuir challenge a couple of years ago. He wasnt at the front of the field but I doubt anyone enjoyed the race more. We also had a great day when he helped with organisation of the Comrie Hills relay.
I am sorry there will be no more whisky evenings with Dario. He really loved his malts but it is his company that we will miss.

Liz · Joined: 29 Sep 2007 Posts: 173

I couldn't believe it last night when we heard the news about Dario, i'm very sorry for his family and friends he's obviously going to hugely missed and his death will leave a big hole in the running community.
The last time i saw Dario was at the end of the WHW race and i remarked on how well he was looking, he'd lost loads of weight and was really chatty and we had a good laugh at Philip's expense as he was being ill in the toilets. It's such a shock that this can happen to someone like Dario who was young and enthusiastic and enriched so many peolpe's lives with the work he put into the running community and i'm sure many other ways.

allybea · Joined: 13 Oct 2007 Posts: 53

I still can't believe that Dario is no longer with us. He had a huge passion and enthusiasm for hill running (and whisky!) and gave freely of his time and advice to anyone who asked.

Once met, never ever forgotten.
_________________
What doesn't kill me makes me stronger!

McStecko · Joined: 28 Sep 2007 Posts: 294 Location: Crieff

I also got to know Dario primarily through the West Highland Way Race. It seemed to me that he lived and breathed this event and made huge numbers of friends and well wishers through his energy, determination and infectious enthusiasm. As a result of his efforts the numbers of people finishing the race rocketed from 20-30 in the early years to the 2009 record total of 122 finishers. The race now attracts regular TV coverage (Adventure Show covered the 2009 race - to be shown in September) and entries from US, Germany, Holland and other far flung parts. It was always a source of pride that a member of our club organized such an amazing and successful event and it is a really fantastic legacy for him to leave behind him. The strength of feelings demonstrated on the WHW forum show just how much he has affected people's lives.

Personally, I have a very fond memory of receiving the "Slimmer of the Year Award" in 2008 for losing so much weight doing the race. A photo showing me sharing a joke with him as I received my prize will always remind me of him. I mentioned my slimming feat in 2008 to him during this year's race and he could recall to the pound how much weight I lost - it was his memory for such details about the people that have taken part in the race that made everyone feel such a part of the race.

I will certainly miss him.

An article in the Glasgow Herald can be found here http://files.me.com/marco.consani/0l1o35

kaznicholl · Joined: 10 Oct 2007 Posts: 239

My condolances go out to all of Dario's family and friends.

It was a huge shock to find out the news.

He was a hugely generous person - so kindly offering to help us Monday runners with our training, just because, in his own words: "it would be good to be able to help out."

Peace be with all those who feel his loss.

Kaz