Alun Roper 1946 – 2025

It is with deep regret that Swansea Harriers announce the passing of Alun Roper.

Alun was one of the finest athletes to represent Wales and wear the Swansea vest. His range of performances on road, track and cross-country, at all ages, were legendary.

Allan Currie outlines Alun’s early sporting performances
Alun Roper was a talented sportsman who excelled at both rugby and athletics. As a rugby player he spent 20 years with the successful South Wales Police team, first as a flanker and, later on the wing. He was a good enough player to be selected to represent both Welsh Police and British Police. His uncompromising training regime was employed by Ron Waldron, the Welsh RFU team manager – much to the dismay of many squad members.

His interest in running began at an early age. He joined Neath Harriers in the early 1960s and in 1965 finished second in the Welsh Novices’ Cross Country Championship. He then moved to Swansea Harriers where he stayed for the rest of his lengthy career. During the 1970s he concentrated on the track and was Welsh champion at 800m in 1974 and 1976. He represented Wales in a match versus Ireland and Luxembourg at Luxembourg in 1977 finishing second at 800m in a lifetime best of 1:50.2. His lifetime best at 400m was 49.3, set in 1969.

Equally adept on all surfaces, in the 1980s he returned to off track racing. In 1984 he represented Wales in the World Cross Country Championships in New York. He was a member of Swansea Harriers’ winning teams at the Welsh Road Relays Championships in 1984, 1987, 1989 and 1992, the last of these at the age of 46. He won the Welsh 10k road championship in 1984 and the Welsh Marathon in 1983. His best marathon time of 2:20:35 was achieved in Belfast in 1984. He won British Masters championships at various events, including 1500m, 10 miles and cross country.

Alan was the ultimate competitor who professed to running 50 races in a year. A measure of Alun’s versatility and powers of recovery was demonstrated in 1983 when he ran the Carmarthen Mayors 9mile road race placing second to Jock Seaman (Swansea) then later winning the Welsh Marathon in 2:31:54 only to compete 6 days later in a British League 800m track race!

John Theophilus recalls his friend and teammate
Alun was an integral part of my entire running career. A fantastic training partner, particularly the brutal and rapid track sessions over many years, he was a brilliant team mate and inspirational leader as senior men’s captain. Great company on trips at home and abroad, his sense of humour, endless supply of anecdotes, rugby songs and jokes illuminated every bus journey and overnight stay. His team talks on the bus, after all non-athletes had been asked to vacate, were legendary!
As a competitor Alun possessed a devastating finishing kick which won him Welsh titles and numerous British Athletic League victories against runners with faster pb’s and stellar reputations. As a pretty fair ‘kicker’ myself, I knew Alun’s finish was faster and delighted in the knowledge that he preferred the 800m to the 1500m!
As a veteran he broke records and won British titles and retained an amazing enthusiasm for a sport he had graced for so many years, unlike many top-class senior athletes who sink without trace on reaching ‘that certain age’.
He also ventured into team management for Wales and again, his leadership qualities and likeability were happy bedfellows. His pre-race team talk to the Welsh senior men’s cross country team at one World Championships was so uplifting and stirring that one member of the team was leading the best the world had to offer for the first half mile before falling back down the field.
Alun’s sense of fun was demonstrated at my expense on numerous occasions when he always managed to find a handy bucket to fill with very cold water to throw over me in the showers at the end of a meeting, usually during a sing-song! I never saw it coming and I can hear his laugh now as he caught me out, yet again!
All our thoughts are with his wife Jen and family.

It has been confirmed that Alun’s funeral will be held at Margam Crematorium on Tuesday 6th May at 10.30 am. It is proposed that this will be followed by a get-together at Neath Rugby Club afterwards but this has not yet been confirmed. It is quite fitting that Alun should be laid to rest on the anniversary of the first ever sub four-minute mile by Roger Bannister back in 1954.