The world of running is made up of many different sorts of people, with every imaginable character trait.
That should not surprise anyone given that roadrunning caters for folk of all abilities.
Every once in a while a man or woman stands out in the crowd without having to say anything or do anything to attract attention. They simply are themselves and make a difference in an unassuming way.
Trevor Klose was such a man. Tragically for his immediate family, his beloved East London Athletic Club (Elac) and the broader community he passed away on Sunday night.
Klose, born in 1951 was schooled at Cambridge High, but was never sporty at school according to his former wife and still best friend, Mercia. It was, she said, only after they were married that he took up soccer and became totally committed to the game, playing almost every weekend.
Klose worked at the Daily Dispatch on nightshift which enabled him to become a home Dad during the day, a task he took to like the proverbial duck to water. This also allowed his wife to pursue her career and become the manager of a bank. It was an ideal combination.
He later started running, which he could fit into the mornings and was often seen running the streets of suburbia during the heat of the day.
As the combination of soccer and roadrunning started impacting on family time he retired his soccer boots in favour of his “takkies”.
Klose ran probably every local road race on offer at least once during his career and could often be seen officiating at events organised by Elac, but sometimes those of other clubs too.
Graham Reynolds, the chairman of Elac paid tribute to Klose for his unwavering support and loyalty to the club and to a man with a special human touch.
His first of 15 completed Two Oceans 56km Marathons was run in 1994 at the age of 42 going on 43, while his first Comrades Marathon was completed in 1998. He would go on and finish 10 Comrades and was thus awarded his Green Number 19484 in perpetuity, which is a feat every Comrades runner aspires to, whether they admit it or not.
Klose missed the 1995 Two Oceans, but then ran 13 in succession, before skipping 2009 and 2010, with a final swan song in 2011. His best time for the 56km race was 5:23:57 which he ran in 1998.
On the Comrades front the pattern was similar when he skipped entry in 1999, but then ran the next nine on a trot. A 10:19:10 in 2001 was his best performance over the hills of KwaZulu-Natal. His medals stand at nine bronze and one Vic Clapham.
It was Klose’s wish to run Comrades again this year but he was diagnosed with an internal melanoma quite close to his heart and decided not to.
Klose had just completed four weeks of intensive treatment and appeared to have come through with flying colours, as he had so many times before on the road. On Friday he was at home playing happily and romping with his grandchildren, looking as healthy as ever.
Speaking to a tearful Mercia this week she said that Klose was the perfect father and grandfather, but perhaps what will resonate most with the sporting community, she called him a true sportsman - and that he was.
Klose was never going to win a race, he did not have to, he won the gentleman and sportsmanship stakes every time.
The sport will be the poorer for his passing while the need for many more Trevor Kloses is real and tangible.
Klose had two daughters, Megan and Tammy and three granddaughters all of whom he idolised.
Marathon Man filled hearts of many with ubuntu
That should not surprise anyone given that roadrunning caters for folk of all abilities.
Every once in a while a man or woman stands out in the crowd without having to say anything or do anything to attract attention. They simply are themselves and make a difference in an unassuming way.
Trevor Klose was such a man. Tragically for his immediate family, his beloved East London Athletic Club (Elac) and the broader community he passed away on Sunday night.
Klose, born in 1951 was schooled at Cambridge High, but was never sporty at school according to his former wife and still best friend, Mercia. It was, she said, only after they were married that he took up soccer and became totally committed to the game, playing almost every weekend.
Klose worked at the Daily Dispatch on nightshift which enabled him to become a home Dad during the day, a task he took to like the proverbial duck to water. This also allowed his wife to pursue her career and become the manager of a bank. It was an ideal combination.
He later started running, which he could fit into the mornings and was often seen running the streets of suburbia during the heat of the day.
As the combination of soccer and roadrunning started impacting on family time he retired his soccer boots in favour of his “takkies”.
Klose ran probably every local road race on offer at least once during his career and could often be seen officiating at events organised by Elac, but sometimes those of other clubs too.
Graham Reynolds, the chairman of Elac paid tribute to Klose for his unwavering support and loyalty to the club and to a man with a special human touch.
His first of 15 completed Two Oceans 56km Marathons was run in 1994 at the age of 42 going on 43, while his first Comrades Marathon was completed in 1998. He would go on and finish 10 Comrades and was thus awarded his Green Number 19484 in perpetuity, which is a feat every Comrades runner aspires to, whether they admit it or not.
Klose missed the 1995 Two Oceans, but then ran 13 in succession, before skipping 2009 and 2010, with a final swan song in 2011. His best time for the 56km race was 5:23:57 which he ran in 1998.
On the Comrades front the pattern was similar when he skipped entry in 1999, but then ran the next nine on a trot. A 10:19:10 in 2001 was his best performance over the hills of KwaZulu-Natal. His medals stand at nine bronze and one Vic Clapham.
It was Klose’s wish to run Comrades again this year but he was diagnosed with an internal melanoma quite close to his heart and decided not to.
Klose had just completed four weeks of intensive treatment and appeared to have come through with flying colours, as he had so many times before on the road. On Friday he was at home playing happily and romping with his grandchildren, looking as healthy as ever.
Speaking to a tearful Mercia this week she said that Klose was the perfect father and grandfather, but perhaps what will resonate most with the sporting community, she called him a true sportsman - and that he was.
Klose was never going to win a race, he did not have to, he won the gentleman and sportsmanship stakes every time.
The sport will be the poorer for his passing while the need for many more Trevor Kloses is real and tangible.
Klose had two daughters, Megan and Tammy and three granddaughters all of whom he idolised.
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