Tributes pour in for man known as "Mr Northampton parkrun"
92 year old runner Bob Emmerson who took part in the weekly 5k runs has sadly passed away.
A well known and well loved Northampton runner has sadly passed away at the age of 92.
Bob Emmerson passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday.
He was an avid runner throughout the years who had taken part in many running challenges, and even ran the London marathon around 19 times, with sub three hour marathon times in the past.
Bob had been taking part in the Northampton Park Run, a weekly 5k run every Saturday at 9am, since 2012 when he was 79 and took part in 537 runs.
He was the first Park Runner to reach 500 Park Runs by the age of 90.
Matt Bushell the Co-Director of Northampton Park Run and says Bob always had time to encourage other runners:
"On the way around the course everybody would say Good Morning Bob and he would be pleased to have selfies with everybody. He even brought veg from his garden that was quite a regular thing. He'd be handing out courgettes on a Saturday morning. He was just a great guy."
Matt says Bob was an avid runner throughout his life:
"He showed us at one point his old note book that he kept his training logs in, this is before the days of running apps, and he used to run miles and miles. Absolutely incredible figures and he was a great runner in his day. And I think Park Run gave him the opportunity to carry that on a little bit."
On the Northamptonshire Park Run Facebook page other runners have paid tribute to Bob, with Lizzy Victoria saying she had many happy memories running the course with him:
"Over the years you shared stories, courgettes, encouragement and inspiration. Parkrun was your happy place and you’d count down the weeks / days till your son was visiting. I will miss you my friend."
Many passed on their condolences to his family saying Rest In Peace Bob, with James Cushing calling him a Park Run legend.
Chrissy Boyce said "He inspired me to run and kept me in courgettes! I’ll miss his hugs. So very sad."
Matt says they plan a minutes applause for Bob at Park Run this Saturday and hope to mark his passing with a larger event with his family in the future.