James Harrison 1983-2020

Tuesday 30th June 2020

James (second from right at back) was a member of Corstorphine AAC’s National Road Relays success in 2018 (photo by Bobby Gavin)

BBC Scotland website

Funeral details:

Friday 10 July at 10.30am

At Mortonhall, Edinburgh

To watch online please join www.obitus.com

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Everyone at scottishathletics and within the sport in Scotland has been shocked and saddened to learn that a tragic bike accident led to Corstorphine AAC athlete and qualified Official James Harrison being killed.

The incident happened in Edinburgh early on Thursday morning of last week.

Corstorphine AAC athlete and team manager, James was one of our up-and-coming Start Team members and his mother, Annette, is another member of that team.

We send our deepest condolences to his wife, Dr Rowan Harrison, their two young children and all the rest of the family as well as his friends in athletics and beyond.

Messages of sympathy and support have flooded in on our social media channels with many paying tribute to the 36-year-old, who was also at one stage a very high level performer in British and Scottish triathlon.

Corstorphine AAC have been deeply affected, of course, and Alastair Brockie posted this message on our Facebook page:

‘Not only was James a committed Official, he was an active and successful athlete. He was part of the Corstorphine team who won the 2018 National Six-Stage Road Relays and the 2019 East District XC Champs.

‘He was also a team manager for our Men’s League team and inspiration to our young squad of athletes.

‘James is someone who put far more into the sport than he took out. He will be sorely missed by all at Corstorphine and far beyond.’

Edinburgh Evening News website

James worked in the NHS in Edinburgh as a lead research nurse in cardiology and had recently volunteered to help out in the fight against Coronavirus.

Professor Alex McMahon, NHS Lothian executive director of nursing, midwifery and allied healthcare professionals, said he was a ‘much loved and respected’ team member.

‘In recent months, James volunteered in our intensive care unit to support the Covid-19 response, demonstrating his enduring commitment, compassion and determination to support both patients and staff,’ he said.

‘James will be truly missed by all the colleagues he worked alongside, and by the wider research community here in Lothian and across Scotland.

‘From everyone at NHS Lothian, we offer our heartfelt condolences to the Harrison family.’

In addition to James' success as a runner (amongst his many other accomplishments) he also had earlier success as a triathlete, and represented the GB age group team at several European and World championships.
My sincere condolences to his family.

— Mr A. Lert (@alisterrussell) June 30, 2020

My heart goes out to all of James' family, friends and everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him; a hugely popular guy in the Edinburgh running scene and beyond, and always a genuinely nice and unassuming guy to chat with. https://t.co/BWi7az73cL

— Andrew Douglas (@andoug_run) June 29, 2020

An utterly devastating loss for his family, friends, and the wider running community. A highly popular, friendly, genuine guy who will be sorely missed by all. https://t.co/kotE9uMvq9

— Ross Houston (@runner_ross) June 27, 2020

Tags: Corstorphine AAC, James Harrison