Dr. Jack Taunton Obituary-Death News; Co-Founder Of The Vancouver Marathon And Vancouver Sun Run, Dr. Jack Taunton Passes Away
Dr. Jack Taunton, who passed away in Vancouver, was a significant global player in the history of running and sports medicine. He also generously touched the lives of others, including me.
For his lifelong work as the Canadian team doctor, chief medical officer for six major Games, including the 2010 Winter Olympics, and co-founder of the world-renowned sports medicine center at the University of British Columbia with colleague Dr. Doug Clement, Jack was rightfully awarded the Order of Canada. At that university, he was an Emeritus professor.
As a 2:20 marathoner whose passion made Lions Gate Road Runners one of the most important clubs in the world during the early running boom, runners remembered Jack as a co-founder of the Vancouver Marathon and Vancouver Sun Run, both of which grew to be major events.
The “creative energy” of a generation of runners is how I sometimes describe that boom, and Jack had enough of it. His innovative suggestion to make the 1981 Vancouver Marathon an international masters teams event led to my arrival in Vancouver with the New Zealand squad and my personal best time of 2:18.45 for the marathon.
Additionally, Dr. Jack freely offered his professional medical advise on all of my injuries, from packed achilles to osteitis pubis. Although he experienced numerous health issues in his later years, his brave insistence on intense exercise served as an inspiration. We shall grieve and miss him. My condolences go out to Cheryl, their family, and the running community in Vancouver.
