John played a significant role in my life in two ways: in my career as a journalist and as a fellow runner.

CAREER...
Many, many years ago, someone was hired in from outside to train up members of staff on Computer Aided Design in John’s department at work. After a few weeks, he confided in John that he was thinking of setting up his own publishing company to launch a commercial magazine on that very subject: CAD.

He wanted to know what John thought of the idea, to which he replied that the timing seemed just right, as CAD was starting to take off and would be the next big thing. “But where do I begin?” John was asked. To which John replied: “Maybe you should meet my niece’s husband. He’s a journalist.”

I met up again with John P not long after and he asked me how my meeting had gone with this Aussie fellow, who was also called John. I said that Aussie John had asked me if I’d ever heard of CAD and I’d said only as an old-fashioned word that posh people used for someone who was a bit of a villain. In return, I’d asked Aussie John what he knew about publishing and he’d replied: “I’ve read the occasional newspaper, mate.” John P took in this information and, in his usual dry-wit style, said: “So, you know nothing about CAD and he’s half illiterate. How can it fail.”

Thanks to John P, within a few weeks I was editing a magazine that still didn’t exist – and was still editing it 10 years later.

RUNNING…
One thing I soon learned about John was that he was an outstanding athlete. Not that you’d ever know it from the way he conducted himself. Modesty was one of his great qualities. I’d run the first London Marathon and soon after discovered that John had also begun training to take on the 26.2 mile distance himself. I thought I’d help him along the way with a few tips and tricks, especially with him being around 15 years older than me, only to discover on my first training run with him that the only way I’d ever get near enough to offer him any advice was in the changing rooms before we started.

I ran in several races with him, most memorably when he cracked three hours for the London Marathon – a magnificent achievement. I believe John had showered, changed and was halfway through a celebratory pint by the time I crossed the finish line. Yet he congratulated me as if I’d made it onto the winner’s podium.

Whether out running, spending time catching up or at some memorable family gatherings, it was always a pleasure and privilege to be in his company.