The endurance running coach in the south west of England has guided, among others, Olympian Nick Rose.
Dave Jennings, one of the greatest middle-distance coaches in the history of Bristol & West AC, has died aged 83 after a short illness. Kevin Fahey reports.
Jennings died peacefully at his home in Whitchurch on Monday, surrounded by his loving family, including his wife Kat and daughters Carol and Kim. He also had three grandchildren, Evie, Ewen and William.
In the athletics community, Jennings will always be remembered as the man who took Nick Rose as a raw, teenage talent from Hengrove to the pinnacle of international athletics.
Rose was a two-time Olympian in Moscow in 1980 and four years later in Los Angeles, where she finished 12th in the 10,000m final, and also finished third at the 1980 World Championships in Paris.
“Dave started coaching me when I left school at 16 and he opened my eyes to running,” Rose said.
“It was a lot of hard work, but it paid off and I wouldn’t have achieved what I did without his guidance and dedication.
“It was down to his background and also being a runner, so he knew what the sport was like physically and mentally.”
Jennings also coached British 3000m hurdles champion Tony Steynings, who also competed at two Olympics in Montreal in 1976 and four years later in Moscow.
Also from his group, Jennings guided Swag Hartell, Chris Riddler and Wayne Buxton to GB vests.
“When Dave started coaching me, I finished 296th in the junior race at the English National Cross Country Championships in Leicester, while Nick won the senior men’s race the same day,” said Buxton.
“But even though it was Nick’s big day, Dave still gave me his time and attention and he had a real genuine concern for all the athletes he coached.
“He would coach anyone as long as you were motivated and he never put limits on what you could achieve.
“I ended up winning a GB vest in the marathon and I would never have done it without Dave’s guidance.”
Martin Hula was another local runner who benefited greatly from Jennings’ coaching.
“Dave was a great coach and a great lifelong friend,” Hula said. “We had so many wonderful adventures, including trips abroad, all of which are treasured memories. I owe the man a debt I can never repay.”
After taking early retirement following a career at WD & HO Wills, Jennings was able to devote his extra free time to his love of the sport, and Rose has no doubt that he deserves his place as one of the best coaches in the club’s history.
“Back in the mid-1970s and ’80s when the club was Bristol, Dave was at the forefront as a middle and cross country coach, taking the club to the level it reached,” added Rose.
“I think it was the most successful era ever because we were at a high level in road running, cross country and being in the National Track and Field League.”
Jennings’ contribution to the club was recognized when he was made a Life Member and it is a testament to the affection he has for his athletes that units have shared with the family in recent weeks.
“I and many others had a very personal relationship with Dave and we did a lot of things together outside of running,” added Rose. “It’s like we’re a big family. He will be greatly missed.”
