Tributes as running club chairwoman dies suddenly

MEMBERS of Avon Valley Runners have paid tribute to their ‘beautiful, brilliant and fun-loving’ chairwoman who died suddenly on Sunday.

Sara Robert, 63, had been a member of the club for ten years and had been the chairwoman for the last two.

A former pupil of the Bentley Grammar School in Calne, she was a former Detective Constable with Wiltshire Police, stationed in Melksham.

She died on Sunday, March 24 - the day after attending Trowbridge Town Council's Civic Dinner at the Civic Centre.

An inquest has been opened and adjourned by the Wiltshire & Swindon Coroner.

Floral tributes have been laid at Drynham Road to the chair of Avon Valley Runners Sara Robert who died suddenly. Image: Trevor Porter 76931-1 (Image: Trevor Porter)

In a tribute posted on social media, the club said: “It is with the deepest sadness and regret that we have to inform you that our beautiful, brilliant and fun-loving Chair Sara Robert, who gave her absolute heart and soul to AVR and in everything she did, passed away suddenly yesterday Sunday 24th March.

“In the coming days, we know this will be hard for members to process as we are all heartbroken.

“We encourage people reach out to their AVR friends and family for support. Our thoughts are with her family at this time."

Sara Robert, chair of Avon Valley Runners, who died on Sunday, March 24. (Image: Avon Valley Runners)

On Saturday (March 30) there was a huge turnout of more than 320 runners at the Southwick Country Parkrun and a one minute's silence before the event in her memory.

Many AVR members wore club kit and completed the 5k route with Sara's family, including her children and grandchildren.

On Monday, March 25, more than 60 club members took to the streets alongside her family to walk the club route from Trowbridge Rugby Club in her honour, followed by drinks at the Red Admiral pub.

Trowbridge mayor Cllr Stephen Cooper said he and his wife Sharon had met Sara Robert at the Avon Valley Runners annual awards presentation on Saturday, March 9.

Sara Robert had handed out awards to club members at the AVR annual presentation evening at Trowbridge Civic Centre which Cllr Cooper and the Mayoress attended.

Sara Robert, chair of Avon Valley Runners. who died suddenly on Sunday, March 24. (Image: Avon Valley Runners)

Cllr Cooper said: “We had only met her the once but we liked her and found she was very engaged with Avon Valley Runners.

“She will be a great loss to the amateur running community in Wiltshire. She was a big driving force within the club and a fierce advocate for everything they do.”

The Avon Valley Runners Club was founded in 1986 from the road running section of Trowbridge & District Athletics Club and now has more than 200 members of varying ages and abilities.

It organises the Wiltshire Half Marathon as well as AVR road race competitions and activities for Triathletes and its Adults and Juniors sections.

Many of its members take part in the Bath Half Marathon and the London Marathons, as well as local park runs.

In her AVR club profile, Sara Robert said: “I have been a member of AVR for some 10 years now.

“During this time I have been involved with the Youth section for 6 years, become a LiRF, and served as youth welfare officer for the last 5 years.

“I have been very involved in developing the youth programme, competed as a club runner and also competed for the triathlon section of the club.

“AVR has been a huge part of my life over the last ten years. I have enjoyed seeing my grandson develop through the youth section into a very capable and confident runner who will soon begin his transition into the adult section.

“I understand the importance of creating a culture where anybody and everybody can achieve and be the best version of themselves through the club.”