WARM tributes have been paid to the long-serving chair of a popular running club.

Bob Bell, who died aged 76 after a short stay in hospital, was one of the founders and the first chair of the Hogweed Trotters running club, based in Chipping Sodbury.

He died on Friday, June 9 at home with his brother and daughter by his side.

Bob started Hogweed Trotters running club in 2000 with a friend, brother and their wives, from the kitchen of his family home.

Under his chairmanship the club grew to more than 250 members within five years.

In earlier years he was a landlord of the George hotel in Chipping Sodbury and a great rugby player, playing for both Cleeve and Chipping Sodbury.

Bob also volunteered regularly as a marshal at the Chipping Sodbury Parkrun.

He is survived by his wife Georgina, daughter Rebecca, sisters Heather and Jeannie plus brother Alex.

Gazette Series: Tributes to runner Bob Bell who died recently

Warm tributes have been paid to Bob by his daughter and one of the co-founders of the running club.

“It’s such a comfort to know how highly thought of he is by everyone who met him in every aspect of his rich life,” said daughter Rebecca.

“We will all be raising a glass for him this weekend and remembering him in our own special way.

Gazette Series: Tributes to runner Bob Bell who died recently

“Run free dad, no more suffering - I will take care of mum for you and know how much I love you."

A co-founder of the running club has also paid tribute, saying that 'so many people to running thanks to Bob's infectious enthusiasm.'

“It was Bob’s mission to make sure that the club was friendly and welcoming,” said Hogweed Trotters co-founder John Clapp.

“He was thoughtful, supportive, encouraging and always cheerful.

“Bob found time for everyone from the slowest to the fastest and from the experienced to the novice runner.

“As a runner he completed numerous events, including the Sodbury Slog, Dursley Dozen and many 10K runs.

“He ran half marathons including Bristol, Bath, Stroud, Gloucester, Forest of Dean, Imber, Majorca and Benidorm.

“Bob also completed marathons including Cardiff, Luton, Taunton, Gloucester, Hereford, Cornwall, South Coast, New Forest, London and Copenhagen.

“His longest event, which he ran a couple of times, was the very hilly Dartmoor Discover Ultra Marathon over a course of 34 miles!

“When injury prevented him from running Bob volunteered regularly as a marshal at the Chipping Sodbury Parkrun.

“A corner is still marked by “Bob’s rock”, named after him as he marshalled on that spot so many times and where he was immensely popular with his encouragement and support for the runners.

“He brought so many people to running through his infectious enthusiasm.

“Bob got immense satisfaction from the enjoyment that people got from their achievements whether that was completing a marathon or running their first mile.

“He had a great sense of humour, took his running seriously but never took himself too seriously.

“His family can be very proud of what Bob achieved as a runner and as a person who put so much back into the sport that he loved and which gave him so much pleasure and enjoyment.”

A memorial page can be found - tinyurl.com/2u8ptszz