Dario Melaragni

This blog would not exist if it were not for the West Highland Way Race and the West Highland Way Race would not exist in its current form if it wasn't for the tireless, enthusiastic and professional work of 'The Godfather' Dario Melaragni.

I had the mother of all shocks yesterday to hear that Dario had suffered a probable heart attack whilst running on Lochnagar. Despite the sterling efforts of a small band of West Highland Way Race Family members that were accompanying him Dario died there on the hill.

Death is a matter of fact in the jobs I've been employed in since leaving school, I meet it more often than many. It's been suggested by a particular person that this has hardened my approach to loss and the heart that beats in my own chest is a dark one.

That's not true. My heart broke when I heard of Dario's passing and his voice rings in my head now and I can visualise his energy and animation. The depth of loss I feel is too great for me to put into words and there are others that will do it in a significantly more eloquent manner than myself, Mrs Mac being a case in point. But I know that the loss to the ultra running community is great. I know also that the loss to the West Highland Way Race Family is even greater. However, I can only imagine how Dario's family are attempting to cope with their loss today.

On a personal level Dario, the race and the Family came into my life four years ago and the part they play in it now is significant, to say the least.

But now Dario has gone and I feel an emptiness that keeps changing places with disbelief. What can I say? I'll miss you, buddy. I'll even miss your appalling choice of colour when designing the race buffs.

I'm reminded of last year when I had the honour of having Dario stay with me while he was working in London. I'd had a bet with Mike Mason that I could get photographic evidence of Dario smiling:

'...we had a bottle of Glengoyne malt whisky, my favourite tipple and an excellent tool which I realised might enable me to win my bet with Mike Mason and turn the Dark Godfather into a Ray of Sunshine. Okay, maybe that's pushing the envelope a bit...at least get him smiling a bit.

However, it wasn't long before Dario and I were steaming through the whisky and I got lost in tales of past races; of the lunacy of one Mad Jim Drummond; of stories of Kate Jenkins, Lucy Colquhoun, Murdo McEwan and Jez Bragg. In my stupor, (yes, I've considered the possibility that Mike and Dario were in cahoots) the only picture I managed to procure is the one below. Yes it's grainy, yes it's poorly focused and yes it's taken at night- but I'd say it shows the Race Director crackin' a smile.'

Of course, in reality Dario smiled often. And laughed too.....often at his own poor jokes! How I wish I could hear him telling one of those crappy jokes now.

I'll miss you mate. Rest well.