Team Athlete Katie Henderson: 3rd November 1981 – 12th June 2015.

On Friday evening Katie Henderson, a member of our race team, was involved in a road collision whilst travelling to meet up with the rest of the team and staff for Ironman 70.3 Staffordshire. Tragically, she passed away.

Although Katie had only been in the race team for a few months, her outgoing and lively personality was infectious and her smile warmed every room she was in. She was loved by all her fellow athletes and every member of the Tri Training Harder Team.

As an athlete, she was ruthlessly determined on the race course but humble and kind out of competition. She was an athlete that never boasted, didn't brag, she just ‘was’. She was able to be herself with the big super stars and the first timers; a people’s champion with so much to give and so much promise for the future in every aspect of her life.

On Sunday morning, the rest of her team, the coaching staff, coached athletes and friends went into the lake at Chasewater for the start of Ironman 70.3 Staffordshire wearing black armbands as a mark of respect for Katie. Every single one of the athletes dedicated their race to her and they ended up winning the team event as a result. For everyone it had been a long and very emotional weekend, and we have never been prouder of their achievements. With a plethora of great results for all our athletes, no one was focussed on how well they did – they just wanted to get to the finish line for Katie.

At such a difficult time, we will be thinking of her family and those close to her who have lost such a large part of their lives. Yet at this very sad moment, we will look back on the short time we spent with Katie as part of our community and recall Pericles’ words:

“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”

Katie touched all of us in a very significant and meaningful way, woven into each one of our lives. Thank you Katie for giving that to us.

Rest in Peace.