JACK Prescott, the pride of Horwich RMI Harriers, has died aged 89.

He joined the running club in 1924 and was secretary for more than 33 years. In the lean years of the late 60s and 70s he refused to let the club die and he and a group of close friends kept it ticking over until the running boom of the 80s.

He then steered an astonishing transformation which saw the club grow into one of the most successful in Britain. He was made the club's honorary life president in appreciation.

Only recently he became the first person to receive the Horwich Civic Medal for his services to the community.

Jack was an outstanding runner in his younger days, scoring many successes in cross country and on the track with the old Horwich Railway Mechanics Institute team. He was also a formidable race-walker and a keen swimmer into old age. As a pensioner he regularly took part in ultra distance walks with close friend Cyril Hodgson of Horwich. He hardly ever missed a Harriers event and said the great joy of his old age was seeing the junior section mushroom and take national honours in fell racing.

Jack, a widower, died peacefully on Sunday in Hazelbrook Christian Nursing Home in Horwich. He leaves a son and a daughter. The funeral will be held on Thursday with a service at St Elizabeth's, Horwich at 11.15am followed by committal at Overdale West Chapel at noon.

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