A TEAM GB athlete’s fiancé has paid tribute to the “love of his life” after she was killed by a car while out running. Natasha Lewis was fatally struck near Peasedown St John, Somerset, at about 6am on April 7. Her partner Dave Bowler, 32, said he has been left absolutely devastated, but pledged: “Tash’s […]
A TEAM GB athlete’s fiancé has paid tribute to the “love of his life” after she was killed by a car while out running.
Natasha Lewis was fatally struck near Peasedown St John, Somerset, at about 6am on April 7.
Her partner Dave Bowler, 32, said he has been left absolutely devastated, but pledged: “Tash’s light will continue to shine for the benefit of the community she loved.”
Keen runner Tash, a popular member of the GB bobsleigh team, was hit by a car during a scheduled run, reports SomersetLive.
She was due to take part in the Bath Half Marathon, but Dave, along with 70 friends and family – including brothers James, 40, and Tim, 36 – will run in her memory.
Dave said: “I will never be able to match Tash’s speed. But I know she will be with us all every step of the way.
“Many of the people taking part, including James and Tim, are not runners, but they will give it their all, just as she would have.”
The couple had spent the last eight years building their business Get Fit in Bath, where Tash worked as a personal trainer.
But Dave said it was so much more than a business, adding: “I realise it was something she was born to do.
“Tash wanted our gym to be a safe space for anyone, all ages, all shapes and sizes and for people from all backgrounds to come to and feel welcome.
“All Tash ever did was give out good energy and I know that energy is still being felt in Bath.”
He also said of Tash, whom he was due to marry on September 25: “She had a gift, and that gift was to give 100 per cent to everything she did, whether that was to her running, our business or to supporting other people to feel better about themselves.
“She was never preachy, but she wanted to inspire people to be the best they could be.”
Her dad Nick said: “Natasha was born to run since aged nine. She excelled in everything she did, sprints, field events and triathlon and latterly a love of long-distance running.
“She was also part of the Great Britain ladies bobsleigh development squad while studying at the University of Bath.”
Tash, from Bath, took up running when she was eight and was a well-known member of Team Bath Athletic Club.
Her family have asked anyone attending her funeral to reflect her passion and wear “comfortable attire”, including running gear.
Dave said: “This will be a celebration of Tash’s life so please don’t come in funeral attire.
“We wish to reflect who Tash was as a person so come dressed in comfortable attire.
“If you have GFIB or Team Bath clothing or running gear or gym trainers, please wear as a nod to her and who she was. This is something she would have appreciated.”
A fund has been set up in her name, with more than 900 donations and almost £40,000 raised so far.
Fellow Bath runner and Olympian Emily Diamond was among those to pay tribute, calling the news “heartbreaking”.
Erika Kelly, who competes for Great Britain in racewalking, said she was “so grateful for the opportunity of getting to meet and know” Tash.
“You were a literal light in people’s lives with the most generous and happiest soul,” she posted on Twitter.
Tash trained and competed as a runner alongside her job.
Tash’s light will continue to shine for the benefit of the community she loved.
Dave Bowler
While her immediate goal was to qualify for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, she wrote in a blog post: “My philosophy is to just be the best I can be.”
Her coach Tom Craggs said he was “devastated” and that it had been an “absolute honour and privilege to coach” Tash.
A friend of Tash, Kim Barfoot-Brace, said she was “incredibly committed” to running and “fulfilling her dreams”.
“She was so encouraging to everyone, inspiring them to be their best,” she added.
Avon and Somerset Police are appealing for information about the fatal crash.
Officers were called to the A367 at Clandown shortly after 6am on April 7.
A 19-year-old man was arrested in connection with the crash and has been released under investigation.
