News

26/06/2024 00:00, In Blog /

It was with great sadness that we heard of the passing of Damian Williams, former chairman of Parc Bryn Bach Running Club.

Born on 5th August 1966 in Cwm, Damian Williams was an integral part of both Parc Bryn Bach Running Club and the South Wales running community. 

Damian embarked on a successful running career in 2004 after playing as a skilful centre midfielder for local football club, Cwm Welfare. He joined Club 69 running club, a predecessor to Parc Bryn Bach Running Club, in 2006 but shortly after took a break to support his children swimming. When Club 69 was reestablished as Parc Bryn Bach Running Club, Damian rejoined the club in 2013.

Damian earned a number of successes during his running career including representing East Wales cross country on numerous occasions and representing Wales masters on two occasions at the British and Irish Masters cross country international in Dublin in 2015 and Derry in 2017. 

He was a sub-3 hour marathon runner and could routinely be found running up ‘The Domen’ — the old training ground of the legendary British marathon runner Steve Jones.

This running career together with the experience he had gained operating a successful business put Damian in the perfect position to guide the club and its members through being the club’s chairman. He took on the role in 2016 and throughout his time as chairman the club was always at the forefront of what he did and he believed in all of the club members and treated them as the athletes they were. 

His running ambition was to “help our Athletes improve and the Club to enjoy continued success” and this was evident in the club’s successes with the men’s team rising through the divisions in the Gwent Cross Country League in successive years and together with the women’s team are a permanent fixture of Division One. 

Damian was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in early 2023 and took a step back from the club. After stepping down as chairman of the club, Damian became an honorary member of the club, a lifetime recognition of a person’s contribution to the club. This will be our way of ensuring that Damian is forever remembered. 

Like with most things in life, Damian put up a brave fight and tried numerous treatments but after 18 months he sadly passed away on Monday 24th June. 

Our thoughts are with his wife Lisa and his 3 children Julian, Jade and Ewan.

Obituary by Parc Bryn Bach Running Club.

Funeral Details:

Monday 8 July, Tirzah Baptist Church, Cwm at 10.45am