Colchester: beloved runner Arthur Whiston laid to rest

Beloved local runner Arthur Whiston’s funeral was held earlier today at the Colchester Crematorium in Mersea Road.

Arthur tragically died last month in a road traffic accident whilst cycling in Argent’s Lane, Stanway, he was aged 73.

Nicknamed 'King Arthur', he was a member of the Colchester Harriers Athletics Club which is based in Circular Road North for more than 20 years.

Popular - a great photo of Arthur (Image: Submitted)

Over the years, he became well known for his success in competitions and for his dedication to running as he participated in different parkruns and events around the area.

On July 13, hundreds of runners turned out to honour his memory at the Highwoods parkrun.

Now, runners from across the city including the Colchester Harriers and Running Colchester have further paid tribute to Arthur.

Last Monday, August 5, more than 80 people took part in a run from The Wooden Fender pub in Ardleigh on a route that Arthur had created with Tania Stacey five years ago.

This was led by the Mersea Island Hash Harriers.

Showing support - runners on the Hash Harriers run on Monday (Image: Craig Mitchell)

The Wooden Fender provided hospitality in the beer garden following the run.

On Wednesday night Running Colchester, supported by Colchester Harriers, led 180 runners around the Castle Park grounds, creating an elephant route which Arthur took on during his first ever run with Running Colchester in 2016.

Other Monkey Brewing, in St Nicholas Street, invited all the runners to the pub following the run and created a special ale in memory of Arthur.

Jenny Kaye, a committee member of Running Colchester, and a core member of the Highwoods Parkrun, was a close friend of Arthur’s.

Remembering Arthur - runners in Castle Park on Wednesday (Image: Liam Winters)

Celebrating Arthur - runners after the Castle Park run (Image: Lucy Winters)

On behalf of the running community, she has emphasised how dearly missed he will be.

She said: “Arthur was part of Harriers and Running Colchester and also a frequent attendee at local parkruns.

“We referred to him as King Arthur as he was so well known in the running community, he was such a speedy runner, we would all try to keep up with him and he would outrun us all the time.

“He was such a massive part of the running community, and represented Harriers at local races, he ran with us at Colchester Running.

“I think it has rocked all of us.

“I think this has put a shockwave through the community.

“We’re going to join him on his final journey.”

More than £3,000 has been raised through a fundraising page which Jenny hopes will be used to fund a memorial bench in King Arthur’s name.

The bench could possibly be placed along the Parkrun route in Castle Park, Colchester, or the route at Arthur’s local Highwoods Parkrun.