Runners across the North of England and beyond are mourning the loss of one of the region’s most inspiring figures, Rod Berry, who passed away on the morning of Wednesday 4 June.

Known affectionately as ‘Rocket Rod’, Berry was a well-loved presence in the local running scene and the driving force behind some of Cumbria’s most iconic road races. He founded the famously challenging Langdale Marathon and Half Marathon, as well as the much-loved Christmas Pudding 10K. His passing marks the end of an era for many who knew him not only as a race organiser but as a passionate runner and community champion.

Originally from Manchester, Rod moved to the Lake District in the mid-1980s and quickly became a central figure in the region’s running culture. He began organising events in 1988, drawing hundreds of runners each year to tackle the stunning but unforgiving roads of the Langdale Valley. When Brathay Trust took over management of the Langdale Road Races in 2018, Rod was appointed Patron in recognition of his decades of service and enduring influence. He remained a fixture at race days, warmly encouraging everyone brave enough to take on what are widely regarded as some of the toughest road events in the UK.

The Brathay Trust paid tribute, describing him as “a passionate and inspirational figure in the local running community,” and someone who was “admired and respected by everyone who dared to take on some of the toughest road races in the country.”

Tim Farron, Member of Parliament for Westmorland and Lonsdale, has said: “Rod was an inspiration to me and to so many others. He was the force behind the epic Langdale Half Marathon, the Christmas Pudding Race and many other events that continue to bring people together. Rod is one of the reasons I started running in the first place.

"‘Rocket Rod’ in his Union Jack shorts was a legend in the Lakes and beyond. He loved his community, he loved running and most of all he loved and was proud of his family."

Rod’s legacy will live on in the races he created, in the runners he inspired, and in the friendships he helped to forge over decades of shared miles on the road. He leaves behind a proud and enduring contribution to the North West’s running landscape - one that will continue to bring people together for years to come.

Image: Brathay Running Facebook