"Modern - Day Manx Hero"
Long time Manx Harrier (and before that Manx AC member) John Crellin who died in the TT Senior race on Friday 12th June 2009 - Sadly missed by the Manx athletics community (photo by Stan Hall at the St Johns Fell Race in January 2009)
Tribute by Chris Quine
The loss of John has left a massive void for all those who knew him. I was lucky enough to know him as a friend for over twenty years and despite being fairly small in stature he was a larger-than-life character in so many ways.
On the outside he was quiet, modest, extremely well mannered, on the inside tough, very intelligent with a single minded determination to do all the things in life that he wanted to achieve. Others dream and sometimes talk about doing things; John went off and did them.
Whilst his successes as an athlete were relatively modest in terms of finishing positions, he was a real all-rounder prepared to have a go at anything. In recent years he concentrated mainly on fell running as motorcycling injuries took their toll. However, going further back he took part in road running (finisher in the TT40), cross country (competed in the National cross country and several times in the Lancashire Cross Country) and track and field, typically having a go at the pole vault on a number of occasions! He even managed a finish in the Parish Walk about 10 years ago
John loved the TT. He must have been so proud to stand on the podium on Friday morning. He also loved being known and recognised as a TT rider. I think the danger of racing added to the excitement for him. I asked him several times why he still did it after the loss of good friends and injury to himself – he told me “I just love speed and going fast”.
Away from sport, he was extremely capable in other areas of life. He, along with his dad, virtually rebuilt his home in Dukes Road from a shell. Later, John decided that at the age of nearly forty, he would go to university and he achieved an honours degree in Engineering from Sheffield Hallam University. He was also generous of his time to others, helping out an elderly neighbour on many occasions with jobs around the house.
It was whilst in Sheffield that his interest in mountaineering took hold leading to successful climbs on the highest mountains on six of the seven continents and three unsuccessful attempts at Mount Everest. It cost him a small fortune but John was more determined to achieve his goals than worry about money. He considered that he lived modestly in other ways so mountaineering and the TT were his luxuries in life.
He was always good company and ready for a night out whether it was a pub crawl in Douglas, a coach trip or night out elsewhere on the Island. He was not a big drinker – three or four pints at most and a rum and pep to finish the night would do him. He was always excellent entertainment whether it be giving an informed view on current affairs (he read the Times or Telegraph cover to cover every Saturday) or perhaps recounting stories of his trips round the world and times living in America. He would always throw in a few “Americanisms” along the way too. Regardless of the occasion, John would be dressed the same – trainers, jeans, tight t-shirt and baseball cap or woolly hat – somewhere he would be wearing an item of TT memorabilia. That was John.
A few years ago, we had a “dress as John night” – a number of us turning up dressed as John. He took it all in the spirit intended. He would invariably be late and so we adopted an approach of telling him a time about half an hour before the actual meeting time!
I could go on but it would need a book to tell the whole story of John, his achievements and his adventures. Even then most people would think it should be in the fiction section – he filled so much into his 55 years that most people simply would not believe it. He chased his dreams regardless of the risk or financial cost. Other than not cracking Mount Everest or the 120 mph lap around the TT course, I doubt he had many regrets as he headed up the mountain for a final time on Friday afternoon.
John, it was a privilege and pleasure to have known you. I hope they have lots of challenges waiting for you up there. You taught us all the importance of making the most of life and chasing our dreams regardless of what others may think or tell you that you can or cannot achieve.
Finally, our thoughts are with John's family at this time. Hopefully, the thoughts and good wishes of those who knew or perhaps just
admired John will be of comfort over the coming days, weeks and months.
Rest in Peace my friend
Manx Athletics website tribute by Murray Lambden