We lost a dear friend last weekend. Stephen Instone, Natalie's godfather and a close friend of the family for over 30 years, drowned whilst on holiday in Switzerland with his family. Full details are still awaited but it is hard to comprehend this tragic news. He was 54 and leaves behind his lovely wife Shelley plus Florence & Arthur who are, I'd estimate, aged 10 and 8. I just want to write a few words now whilst I think of them.Stephen joined Ranelagh at about the same time as me, in the mid 70's. When I first knew him he was at Oxford University where he spent many years, ultimately gaining a PhD in Classics. Despite his high intellect you couldn't find a more down to earth character and as another friend, Ian Milne, has stated this week, everyone had a soft spot for Stephen. He favoured the longer distances, running numerous marathons all over the world on the back of regular training laps of Richmond Park. His best time would have been in the 2.30's. I remember him being very chuffed to receive a winner's medal - in the days when medals meant something - for being part of Ranelagh's winning team in the Hanwell '5' one year: Ranelagh had a stream of quality Australian internationals running for the club for a number of years and in this race they finished 1st, 2nd & 3rd; Stephen was somewhat further down the field but the medal was won! His running career was blighted somewhat by a badly broken leg in his mid 20's - he fell off a ladder whilst clearing some ivy from his mother's house on Barnes common - although such was his spirit that within a week or so of the accident he was "running" seven mile laps of the park with his leg in plaster and using crutches!
Claudie and I shared some great trips with Stephen; I particularly remember a bleak Poland in 1987 (Claudie was pregnant), where we had guns pointed at us, contrasting with the idyllic caribbean for the Run Barbados races. There were many other trips; he was forever travelling, spending a few months in Kunming, China, training with Hugh Jones and Alan Storey, as well as working out in America for a time.
After working as a journalist for a while, Stephen eventually settled as a research fellow at University College London and had numerous works published. He also regularly turned up on radio & tv esposing his specialist knowledge on an unsuspecting public. A couple of these broadcasts will never be forgotten. The BBC picked up on the fact that Stephen wanted to experiment to see whether the elite athletes of the ancient Olympics had an advantage because they ran naked. He went up to Loughborough and raced against some students, Stephen playing the part of the ancient athlete. As he stated, "they all had lycra on, while I had to run unencumbered". On another occasion he re-enacted men running in full armour, this time in London's Regents Park. He put a saucepan on his head and used a dustbin lid as a shield. I still have the cassette of this absolute classic of a broadcast. Stephen could always laugh at himself but was, of course, also educating at the same time.
Yes, he was quite an eccentric - most runners are - yet he was such a genuine friend who would do anything to help. He was overjoyed when we asked him to be Natalie's godfather. He never forgot a birthday; took a great interest in her development and loved chatting to her about any subject. I spoke to him a few weeks ago and he was so pleased at Natalie's results from Exeter and to hear of her plans for the next two years. I sent him an e-mail last Saturday with a picture from Natalie's graduation; sadly he would not have received it.
Stephen was a devoted family man and spent hours playing all sports with Florence & Arthur. Our thoughts are with Shelley and the children at this dreadful time in their lives.
Stephen, you were a wonderful friend to the Wright family. Rest in peace.
