It's sad to hear about the recent passing of Stan Byczek who was very much part of the Cork running scene for many years.
Carrigtwohill AC wrote the following... π¦π§ππ‘, π§ππ π¦π ππππ‘π π₯π¨π‘π‘ππ‘π π ππ‘ – π₯ππ£
It was with great sadness that Carrigtwohill AC received the news that Stanislaw Byczek passed away on Easter Sunday in his native Poland. His funeral was held yesterday. We extend our sincere and heartfelt condolences to Stan’s family and friends.
Stan grew up in KrakΓ³w. In his younger years, he did a lot of kayaking but running became his life passion. Along with a friend, Stan set up the KB Dystans KrakΓ³w Runners’ Club at the turn of the century. It was on his initiative that the Marzanna Half Marathon was set up. It is still held annually, over 20 years later.
“Byku” moved to Ireland in the 2000s. He ran his marathon PB of 2:47:09 in the 2007 Cork City Marathon. Before arriving in Carrigtwohill, Stan ran with Midleton AC. He landed in Carrigtwohill in the early 2010s. Along with his friend, Adam Duszek, Stan met with local, Liz Ahern, looking to set up an athletic club. Liz, who had been involved in the previous incarnation of Carrigtwohill Athletic Club, was drawn to Stan’s enthusiasm and positivity; it gave Liz just the encouragement she needed to put the wheels in motion for a passion project of hers and Carrigtwohill AC was reformed.
Stan’s warmth and friendliness made him immediately very popular with everyone. Despite his few words of English, there was never a communication barrier. Stan’s effervescent smile and cheeky grin were infectious. He was extremely enrouraging and welcoming to all runners of all abilities. Staszek would put his reassuring arm around you and guide you in the right direction. He was an unofficial ‘coach’, marking out and organising interval sessions on the Bog Road. Stan set out running trails in Curragh Woods. Running had to be fun; Stan was not one for being too serious and competitive.
It was part and parcel of Carrigtwohill day-to-day life to see Stan cycling his bike along the streets of the village. When his bicycle was stolen, a club member immediately offered Stan her bike indefinitely; such was the high regard in which the man was held.
Amongst all of his running achievements, the thing that filled Stan with immense pride was his unbroken achievement of completing every Crocavia marathon in his home town of KrakΓ³w since the inaugural race in 2002. On taking to the start line in the 2023 edition of the race, Staszek was running his twentieth one, with over 100 marathons completed, all told. Unfortunately, Stan became unwell just a kilometre into the race. Despite immediate medical assistance, he did not fully recover thereafter.
It was to the enormous benefit of Carrigtwohill AC that Stan arrived at a time when the club was reformed. We are so grateful to him for the positivity that he exuded and the inclusivity that he extolled.
Stan wore his Carrigtwohill AC colours with pride when running in his home country. Stan loved Carrig and we loved Stan.
Rest in peace, Stan: DaΔ wieczne odpoczywanie.
1 comment:
Very sorry to hear about Stan's passing. Sincere condolences to his family and friends. A lovely man who will be sorely missed.
May he rest in peace.
Post a Comment