Remembering our Friend TFBubendorfer

RacoonQueen · 09-09-2022 4:36pm #1

We received the very sad news this week that long time moderator and member was involved in an accident while out running this week and sadly passed away. Thomas has been a member of boards and an active poster on this forum since 2008, becoming a moderator a few years later. He was the driving force behind many popular member initiatives and an experienced runner and ultra-runner who was always ready with advice.

Equally strong from 5k to 50k to 24 hours, be it on the road, trails, mountains or track, Thomas was out there doing what he loved. The first man to say hello and share some friendly words while mingling before or after a race. He will be well known in the small Irish ultra-running community particularly as a regular at Donadea 50k and will be known by the many who ran with pacers in the Dublin marathon where he paced several times since their introduction, or one of the many other marathons and half marathons around the country where Thomas was happy to sacrifice his own opportunity to race to help others reach their goals.

In 2015, he was proud to represent his country in the 24 Hour World Championships in Turin.

Despite the popularity of the training logs forum and other social media, Thomas stubbornly kept up his blogspot log! Something which I'm sure many of us continued to read. http://rubbishrunner.blogspot.com/

It was a pleasure, to know, moderate with and run with Thomas and his beaming smile will be sorely missed at start lines all over Ireland and both Robin and I will miss his wise, level head as part of the moderation team. Thoughts of all his boards.ie family are with his wife Niamh and their children at this difficult time, may they find peace knowing he got to do what he loved one last time.

R.I.P Thomas

adrian522 · 09-09-2022 4:39pm

Awful news, such a great contributor.

Thanks for posting @RacoonQueen

Singer · 09-09-2022 4:44pm

So very sad, he was a lovely man and a legendary contributor here. I learned a huge amount from his blog and was great to chat with at various events. RIP.

robinph · 09-09-2022 4:56pm

RIP Thomas.

E.coli · 09-09-2022 5:03pm

Probably not someone that newer posters will be too familiar with but the man was one of the original driving forces behind the forums success from the early days will be sorely missed by friends and family alike.

May he rest in peace

Peckham · 09-09-2022 5:10pm

I first met Thomas through this forum back in 2009 and we paced Dublin marathon together in 2010. Fast forward 10 years and we both found ourselves in the same club, Bray Runners.

Over the past year or so I got to know Thomas much better through training sessions, and more recently as we chatted our way through long runs in preparation for this year's Dublin marathon - a race he won't get to run.

In person Thomas is exactly the same as he comes across through this forum. A complete gentleman with time for everyone, and hugely supportive of all runners. Thomas was part of the Shanganagh parkrun pacing team, and led the 25 minute pace group last Saturday with the usual metronomic precision that he consistently delivered.

His loss leaves a large hole in our club, but this is incomparable to the loss that Niamh, their children and his wider family are feeling right now.

The organisers of Ratoath half marathon have kindly agreed to a minute's silence before tomorrow's race, and the various Bray Runners athletes in the race will be marking his passing.

I will update this thread when I'm aware of any further events that are arranged to celebrate Thomas's life and amazing running career.

ArtieFufkin · 09-09-2022 5:33pm

I'm still in shock. Thomas was inspiring and a real gent. He achieved so much but was always humble and encouraging to other runners.

Rest in peace Thomas. The Irish running scene has lost a great friend.

Itziger · 09-09-2022 5:44pm

Christ, that's terrible news. I can hardly believe it. Didn't know the fella personally but he came across as a helpful, modest poster and runner. Thanks for the kind words RQ.

Annie get your Run · 09-09-2022 6:38pm

Lovely words @RacoonQueen. Such awfully sad and shocking news. So many people benefited from Thomas's wisdom, support and help whether they knew it or not. I had actually been thinking about him on a hike this morning before I heard the news. Mountains always remind me of him probably because he loved talking about trail running and encouraged so many to follow in his footsteps. R.I.P. Thomas, thank you for everything you gave to this forum and beyond.

Gusser09 · 09-09-2022 7:21pm

Terrible stuff. May he RIP. From looking in here before i was a poster he always has something to contribute in a good way. No doubt he was shocked by the way boards.ie was migrated to an absolute dreadful platform.

Gone to soon. RIP.

Thoughts with family.

johnoregan777. · 09-09-2022 7:35pm

Shocked and Saddened to have heard this news today. R.I.P Thomas

@RacoonQueen Thats a very nice and fitting tribute. Hard to believe he’s gone.

crisco10 · 09-09-2022 7:55pm

Jesus, that's awful.

Had crossed paths with him a few times around shanganagh and these parts. Always seemed an enthusiastic and helpful fella.

Kellygirl · 09-09-2022 8:03pm

So sorry to read that awful news today. Thinking of everybody who knew him and his poor family. May he rest in peace.

Cabaal · 09-09-2022 8:08pm

Logged on this evening to facebook to see the news, honestly at first I thought I was misreading it or it was some sort of weird joke or something!

Honestly very shocked to read it, the running community in Ireland will be a poorer place without Thomas and I'll miss reading his blog and advice. His blog was partially the reason why I started running Ultras and why I eventually started my own blog.

One thing that always struck me is he didn't boost about his success, even after chatting to him for about 4hours during a race hearing the different stories he was very humble about how well he did and he tended to play stuff down.

A very fitting tribute @RacoonQueen.

RIP Thomas and hope Niamh and the family will get through this awful time.

NeedsTraining · 09-09-2022 8:19pm

Very sorry to hear this news. I didn’t know Thomas, but I’ve read his posts here, followed the blog and admired his dedication and commitment to running.

Sincere condolences to his family, friends, club mates and the wider running community.

May he RIP

Pherekydes · 09-09-2022 8:31pm

Absolutely awful news. My deepest condolences to all in the forum who knew him.

RIP Thomas.

Jakey Rolling · 09-09-2022 8:43pm

Oh, I am floored by that news. Devastating to hear. My heart goes out to his wife Niamh and family.

Was looking forward to meeting up again at Donadea, Connemara or on the trails. Like myself he was lamenting the inevitable slowing that comes with age - may you never grow old and weary now, RIP Thomas.

ger664 · 09-09-2022 8:48pm

I am in absolute shock on hearing this news. I have had the pleasure to know him in real life whether pacing, when he ran the 10 in 10 in Sixmilebridge or crewing for him in Belfast 24hr race. His blog was an inspiration to many on this forum, a gent on the forum and in real life and may he RIP. Deepest condolences to Niamh and his children

diego_b · 09-09-2022 8:49pm

Very sorry to hear this news, I had the pleasure of meeting Thomas at the Kerry County Road championships a number of years back when he was still living down here and simply a nice guy. Always enjoyed his contributions to the forum here.

Lovely tribute above, may he Rest In Peace.

ultrapercy · 09-09-2022 8:52pm

Very sad and sobering news. I spoke to him in person only once but we were often in contact on social media. He was a genuine and gracious man. May he Rest In Peace.

Swashbuckler · 09-09-2022 8:59pm

Oh no that's terrible news. So sad. Thanks RQ , firstly for letting is know and secondly for your very nice words. That news has shocked me. RIP.

DeepBlue · 09-09-2022 9:06pm

That's very sad news. I didn't know the man or have any interaction with him but he came across on the forum as a very helpful individual who was always prepared to offer advice and give the benefit of his experience. May he rest in peace.

Ceepo · 09-09-2022 9:25pm

That's awful news to hear.

RIP Thomas

Classic21 · 09-09-2022 9:26pm

Such terrible news. I never post here but I read/snoop every day and I have always been enthralled by some of the older posters. Thomas was someone I would always look at and follow on Strava. Condolences to his friends & family

The Black Oil · 09-09-2022 9:41pm

Very sad to hear this. He responded to a post of mine in the Random Questions there at the end of August and of course, his blog name was so memorable. It's obvious he had quite a knowledge base about running, a presence here that went beyond typing things up and was above all was a decent skin, as evident in the posts above. Thoughts with his family.

walshb · 09-09-2022 9:52pm

My goodness. Desperate news. Many a friendly spar with him. Very sad, and a young man with family. Not sure if he was posting recently as had not come across his name.

Shield · 09-09-2022 10:14pm

RIP to Thomas and deepest condolences to his family and friends.

-Shield

Hannibal_Smith · 09-09-2022 10:28pm

Oh my goodness that's shocking.

Deepest condolences to his family and friends. RIP.

neilc · 09-09-2022 10:42pm

RIP Thomas.

Pacing Mule · 09-09-2022 11:24pm

I haven't been around these parts for quite some time but had to pop in to pay respects to a true gentleman. RIP Thomas

Murph_D · 10-09-2022 1:14am

So sorry to hear this.

Eyeballed Thomas at the start line of Donadea 2020 and was sufficiently intimidated to not say hello.

My mistake.

Wish I had, because I know how much he contributed to the running community and the Boards community. A legend of this board.

His blog comment ‘I looked in the mirror and saw a sub-3 runner looking back at me’ will always resonate. A man to appreciate the achievement, and try to help others achieve it too.

RIP.

10-09-2022 1:23am

I didn’t know the man- I’m not an athlete- but I am a boards community member. And it sounds like he was a very positive influence in communities, both virtual and otherwise

RIP

Slow_Runner · 10-09-2022 5:53am

So sad to hear the news and condolences to his family. Knew Thomas to see from different races and he always looked like he enjoyed himself which showed in his blog and his postings on here. Absolute gentleman who will be sorely missed by the Irish running community.

Laineyfrecks · 10-09-2022 6:11am

Sincere condolences to his family & friends.

He asked me to be mentor only a short while ago & whilst I completely doubted myself & said I wasn't sure if I was the right choice, he said some lovely & funny things to change my mind.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

PaulieYifter · 10-09-2022 8:11am

Terrible terrible news. So shocked and saddened to hear this. An inspirational runner and person - his blog was a constant reminder that we can achieve our goals with persistence and hard work. I first met him in my first marathon in 2010 and was fortunate enough to run alongside him in a number of subsequent marathons. Sincere condolences to his wife Niamh, children and extended family in what is a very tough time - they can be super proud of him. May he RIP.

Mr. Guappa · 10-09-2022 9:26am

That is such terrible news. Condolences to his family and all who knew him. Our paths crossed here on a couple of occasions, relating to the mentor role, and in those exchanges he was always patient, humourous and generous with his time. It was clear to see why he was held in such high regard by those who knew him well. RIP

xzanti · 10-09-2022 9:42am

Sincere condolences to Thomas' loved ones. May he rest in peace.

Wanderer78 · 10-09-2022 9:53am

jesus, terrible news, rip

Kurt Godelfish · 10-09-2022 12:09pm

I'm in shock reading this news. Sincere condolences to Niamh and his children.

Thomas was one of the nicest, most helpful runners from around these parts. He had a rare ability to impart wisdom and share useful advice across the spectrum of the distance running community. For years he volunteered to pace at the Dublin Marathon, and its fair to say he was the best ever at this job- there's not many you would trust to pace a marathon group to 3:10, but Thomas was a pacing metronome and he never let you down, year after year. I had hoped to meet him again at this years marathon; alas he will be deeply missed. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

griffin100 · 10-09-2022 12:16pm

Awful news. I didn’t know him but have followed his blog on and off for years now. It was always entertaining, informative and very self deprecating.

event · 10-09-2022 1:03pm

R. I. P.

Was a minutes silence at the Ratoath half today, impeccably observed.

BeepBeep67 · 10-09-2022 1:12pm

Nice tribute at Shanganagh parkrun this morning where Thomas was a frequent member of the Bray Runners pacing team.

RIP Thomas

Slogger Jogger · 10-09-2022 1:17pm

Very shocked to hear this. Condolences to his family and to his close friends on Boards.

I met Thomas at a no. of races over the years and he always had a kind word. His blog was a fantastic resource and a great read. His talent belied the name of his blog - he could run well over all sorts of distances and terrains.

I remember him or his generosity and appetite to share all things about running which he loved to do. RIP Thomas.

lulublue22 · 10-09-2022 2:33pm

Such unexpected and sad news. While I never met Thomas in person I found him a very knowledgeable and encouraging poster. Condolences to his wife and children.

ISOP · 10-09-2022 2:34pm

RIP

I loved his blog

Wottle · 10-09-2022 2:57pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119599770#Comment_119599770

It was a lovely tribute and so well respected.

I also really enjoyed his blog and didn't realise he had started writing in it again.

One of the Boards AC originals and a wonderful asset to the forum over the years.

Condolences to his family and friends, of which there appears to be many.

RIP

copacetic · 10-09-2022 3:18pm

This is very sad news, a proper community man

Huzzah! · 10-09-2022 6:25pm

I was so sorry to hear the news today. Such very sad news. I had very few direct interactions with Thomas but always found his posts friendly, helpful and informative.

My sincere condolences to his family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

average_runner · 10-09-2022 6:36pm

Very sad news. He always encouraged others.

RIP

ReeReeG · 10-09-2022 6:57pm

Only saw this news on Shanganagh Facebook page this evening. How awful. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.

opus · 10-09-2022 7:25pm

That's terrible sad news to hear. I had the good fortune to run a large portion of the Dingle marathon chatting with him a few years back & he was such a genuinely nice friendly person. The Running in Cork blog posted about his passing so clearly he connected with people through running far & wide. RIP.

Remembering our Friend TFBubendorfer

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