Bill Smith
Bill Smith
The discovery of Bill Smith’s body on the Trough of Bowland has shocked the fell community. Fell runners are a close bunch, they look out for one another, and share a real love of the environment that they take to week in week out – Bill was one such man.
To therefore learn of the news that Bill’s body was discovered last week (after being missing for three weeks) in a peat bog, will leave the community with a gaping hole, as not only was Bill one of those ‘fell lovers’ he was also one of the true legends of the sport.
His book ‘Studmarks on the Summits – A History of Amateur Fell Racing 1861-1983’ was groundbreaking, and although this may be one of his lasting legacies, it seems that he will be most fondly remembered for his inexhaustable enthusiasm and help for others at the races.
Obituaries are rolling in, and such was Bill’s stature that the national dailies are all carrying stories of this tragic tale.
One of those who knew him best was Graham Breeze, and he has written a very moving piece on the FRA
Fellrunners come and go, Champions come and go, but no-one will ever be as important to the development and history of fellrunning as the man who died in September on the Bowland fells.
RIP Bill…
