Scottish Vets were saddened to hear recently of the passing of Andrew Fraser in September 2021. Andrew resurrected Race Walking in Scotland and founded Scotia Race Walking Club.
YORKSHIRE RACE WALKING CLUB
It was a sunny autumn day at the old Whitcliffe leisure centre in Cleckheaton when we first encountered Andrew Fraser of the Yorkshire RWC. A short, stocky, loveable bear of a man ambling barefoot around the car park, he was quite animated about that morning’s event, enthusing over the performances of others, and even jumped with delight upon hearing that the back marker had set a PB.
On another occasion I remember his action looked particularly smooth when winning a league 10km at York in 50 minutes and change (not bad going for a Masters athlete on an up-and-down course), he remarked afterwards how magically easy it felt. One of those rare days some get to experience, when everything just seems to flow and click.
Having initially got involved with race walking in South Africa, he was living back home in Scotland and these instances were on his frequent trips south for meaningful races, despite the long drives. Andrew’s earnest hope was to get the discipline established in his native land and, such was his enthusiasm, he seemed to have no limit in trying to attain that dream. Friends at his Portobello club would be exhorted to have a go, local running promoters be prevailed upon to add a walking event, parkruns invaded and lessons offered afterwards, and English contacts invited to visit for coaching weekends in Edinburgh with everything paid for.
Fairly soon after he had Scotia RWC established, and with the support of Scottish Vets and others he was advertising championships on track and road. Video conference calls would be set up beforehand to go through the preparations and emails would arrive with a ton of bullet points involved, so keen was he to get everything just right. Andrew would bubble over with praise for the progress of all his members, and was extremely proud of Bill McFadden’s achievements. Unfortunately, In recent years he had gone off the grid with what we sadly heard were employment and relationship issues, and major problems with his health.
Often, a few days after one of our own promotions, a card would arrive from him full of thanks along with many kind words, which typified his warm, thoughtful and encouraging character. He shall be most fondly remembered. One imagines him now up there somewhere, racing tractors on some heavenly veldt.
RIP Andrew
On another occasion I remember his action looked particularly smooth when winning a league 10km at York in 50 minutes and change (not bad going for a Masters athlete on an up-and-down course), he remarked afterwards how magically easy it felt. One of those rare days some get to experience, when everything just seems to flow and click.
Having initially got involved with race walking in South Africa, he was living back home in Scotland and these instances were on his frequent trips south for meaningful races, despite the long drives. Andrew’s earnest hope was to get the discipline established in his native land and, such was his enthusiasm, he seemed to have no limit in trying to attain that dream. Friends at his Portobello club would be exhorted to have a go, local running promoters be prevailed upon to add a walking event, parkruns invaded and lessons offered afterwards, and English contacts invited to visit for coaching weekends in Edinburgh with everything paid for.
Fairly soon after he had Scotia RWC established, and with the support of Scottish Vets and others he was advertising championships on track and road. Video conference calls would be set up beforehand to go through the preparations and emails would arrive with a ton of bullet points involved, so keen was he to get everything just right. Andrew would bubble over with praise for the progress of all his members, and was extremely proud of Bill McFadden’s achievements. Unfortunately, In recent years he had gone off the grid with what we sadly heard were employment and relationship issues, and major problems with his health.
Often, a few days after one of our own promotions, a card would arrive from him full of thanks along with many kind words, which typified his warm, thoughtful and encouraging character. He shall be most fondly remembered. One imagines him now up there somewhere, racing tractors on some heavenly veldt.
RIP Andrew