All at the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund are saddened by the news of the recent passing of Alec Knibbs, at the grand old age of 97.  Alec was a classmate of Ron Pickering when studying at Carnegie College of Physical Education in the 1950s, alsongside another  great National Athletics Coach, Wilf Paish, and was for a number of years, one of our incredible “Ronners” that have raised money for the RPMF by their participation at the London Marathon.  These funds are the lifeblood of our Charity and it is this money that allows us to help hundreds of young athletes each year, and Alec was a wonderful champion of this, running on a number of occasions.

Ron Pickering himself was very much involved in the early years of the London Marathon, and was  once called “The Voice of the London Marathon” by its founder Chris Brasher.  Now in its 40th year, the London Marathon was the brainchild of Chris and John Disley, both teammates of the then Jean Desforges at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki. To commemorate Ron after his death in 1991, Jean was asked to be the official starter at that year’s London Marathon, and the guaranteed entry places given to the newly formed Ron Pickering Memorial Fund by Chris and John, have provided so much of the £2 million that the RPMF has donated to young athletes in need since that date.

Alec Knibbs at one of the many London Marathion events that he participated in to raise money for RPMF, until well into his 80s!

Obituary:

Popular West Norfolk charity marathon man Alec Knibbs dies at 97

The West Norfolk man who ran 13 London Marathons, including several when into his 80s, and many of those in support of the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund has died at the age of 97.

Alec Knibbs was well-known for his London Marathon runs and residents living near to him on the Springwood Estate in Gaywood would await his annual springtime knock on their door asking for a donation towards his London Marathon sponsorship.   Over the years Mr Knibbs raised thousands of pounds for various charities.

A retired university lecturer, Mr Knibbs moved to Lynn 25 years ago with his first wife Hazel. He spent some time on his own following her death until, at the age of 89, he married his second wife, Liz, in 2011. In 2016 Mr Knibbs was awarded the Legion D’Honneur, the highest French order of merit for civil or military conduct, for his involvement in the Normandy D-Day Landings.

Funeral Details Published in Lynn News on Oct. 24, 2019

Alec Knibbs, passed away peacefully, at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, aged 97. Dearly loved husband of Liz and the late Hazel, dearest dad to Melanie and Vivien, much loved brother-in-law to Angie & John and a great friend to everyone he knew. Funeral Service at St Faith’s Church, Gaywood on Tuesday, 5th November, 2019 at 1.00pm followed by cremation at Mintlyn Crematorium. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, for Ron Pickering Memorial Fund (Supporting Young Athletes):

https://www.memorygiving.com/alecvictorknibbs_ronpickeringmemorialfund