VANDERBIJLPARK. – Mr Harries died on Saturday 9 September at 09:00 from cardiac arrest, after spending the last 27 days in the ICU.
Ian is well known for coaching athletes like the late Mbulaeni Mulaudzi (2004 Olympic 800m Silver medalist, 2002 Commonwealth 800m Champion, and 2009 World 800m Champion), and John Morapedi, the 1996 Olympian.
Born on 4th February 1944, in Wales. He started coaching on the 17 June 1967, after achieving athletics success as a schoolboy in Malawi in the 400m, 800m and Triple Jump.
He became a highly qualified coach the following years and obtained various certificates and awards. His achievements and qualifications as a coach include:
* Achieving a Diploma in Sports Coaching at Moray House College of Education, in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1986, specialising in Athletics.
*British Athletics Federation Senior Award for Middle Distance Running, and the BAF Club Award for Sprint and Marathon.
* Royal Air Force (UK) Physical Trainers Instructors Certificate.
* Athletics South Africa Level 3 National Endurance Coach Award.
* World Athletics Level 1 & 2 Lecturer in all Track & Field Events.
* Coached over 30 international athletes, some whom have participated in 6 of the last 10 Olympic Games.
* Recipient of the IAAF International Athletics Foundation Meritorious Service Award to Zimbabwe athletics.
* 2003 Recipient of the Gauteng (Provincial Government) Award for Male Coach of the Year.
He has lectured extensively throughout Africa including South Africa. He has also lectured in United Kingdom (England, Scotland, and North Ireland), Eire, Finland and New Zealand.
In 2003 he was the Guest Speaker at the British Athletics Federation/British Milers Club Annual Endurance Conference at the University of Birmingham in England. Topic: “My Coaching of a World Class 800m Runner”.
In 2022 he released his book, by the name RUNNING FROM THE HEART, My Personal Coaching Memoir.
He spent his last days mentoring coaches like Norman Dlomo (Marathon Olympian), Coach Morena Stix Tsotetsi (800m and 1500m), and Coach Larry Beukes (Sprint). He was also coaching the up and coming 800m and 1500m athletes at Dimathi Athletics Club.
Rest in eternal peace Mdala (old man), the whole athletics family will always honour and cherish your contribution in athletics.
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