TRIBUTES have been paid to one of Meirionnydd’s most notable sports stars who died this week.

John Disley, who helped create the world famous London Marathon, died on Monday in hospital after a short illness.

An acclaimed athlete, John was born in Corris on 20 November 1928 and went on to become Britain’s first world-class steeplechaser when he set four British records at 2 miles and five at 3,000 metres.

In 1952, John claimed the bronze medal in the steeplechase at the Olympics in Helsinki and set five British records in the steeplechase.

Three years later he set the world record for 3,000m steeplechase in Moscow.

The runner also set Welsh records at six different distances, broke the record for the traverse of the Welsh 3,000ft peaks and became the first chief instructor at the flagship mountaineering and outdoor pursuits centre, Plas y Brenin.

A former schoolmaster, he ran for London Athletic Club throughout his career and attained 19 British vests between 1950 and 1957.

Educated at Oswestry High School in Shropshire, he had never seen an athletics track until he went to Loughborough College as a student in 1946.

Before that his running had been confined to annual cross-country runs and school sports.

He was awarded the CBE in 1979 for his work in outdoor education and was vice-chairman of the Sports Council (1974-82).

Impressively, John was also one of the first five athletes inducted into the Welsh Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007 and is a vice-patron of Welsh Athletics, the governing body of the sport in Wales.

Additionally, he became the first Welshman to be voted British Athlete of the Year and also won the Welsh Sports Personality of the Year award in 1955.

Yet it is the London Marathon which John considered his highest achievement, having previously said: “There is only one London Marathon but there are hundreds of medals won at the Olympic Games.”

The Welsh athlete was also notably proud of the fact that the London Marathon raises more money for charity than any other one-day event in the world.

Hugh Brasher, event director of London Marathon Events Ltd, said: “This is a very sad week for the London Marathon family.

“I have known John all my life and without doubt his attention to detail, patience and ability to get on with people from all walks of life meant that he was a force to be reckoned with.

“He inspired so many people with his love of running and the outdoors and has left a legacy that is now part of the fabric of British society.”

John is survived by his wife, Sylvia, and two daughters.