In Memory of Clayton Gerein

January 23rd, 2010

Clayton Gerein left us on Friday, January 22 2010 after a short yet courageous battle with cancer.
Our thoughts are with his family, wife Ruth, children Jasmine and Zoe, as well to all those many faces around the world that Clayton called his “Friend.”

As many of you are aware, The Torch relay making its way to Vancouver for the 2010 Paralympics and Olympics made its stop in Regina. Clayton was chosen as one of the Torch Bearers for a portion of the Regina relay. In true Clayton form, there was no way a hospital bed, let alone cancer, was going to stop him from fulfilling what he deemed a privilege and honourable task. This, my friends, was the true spirit of Clayton Gerein.

For many of us, Sport is where our relationship began with Clay. We not only had the honour and privilege to be Clayton’s teammate, Coach and competitor for the past 20 years, but also his friend. This truly is a sad time for us all.

We would like to honour this Champion of life with Clay’s history in sport. Clayton’s first Paralympics was the 1984 Games as a swimmer where he finished 4th in 100 meter Freestyle and 5th in Medley. This only fueled the competitive spirit in him and soon thereafter directed that energy into wheelchair racing, and off he went!

Clayton’s heart was truly into track and in particular in road racing. There it would remain until his final race in Oita, where he raced an unbelievable 23 times! He dominated both track and road racing for a years to come, garnering numerous Canadian, Paralympic and World records in the 800, 1,500, 5,000, and 10,000 along the way. Adding to those are also World Best results in 10K, 15K, Half Marathon and Marathon. Clayton’s dominance of the Quad class, or any class for that matter, will remain unmatched for years to come.

His Paralympic record stands for itself:

• 6 Gold Medals
◦ 1988 – 400 meter
◦ 1988 – 800 meter
◦ 1988 – 5,000 meter
◦ 1992 – 1,500 meter
◦ 1992 – Marathon
◦ 1996 – 5,000 meter
◦ 2000 – Marathon

• 2 Silver Medals
◦ 1988 – 1,500 meter
◦ 1996 – Marathon

• 5 Bronze Medals
◦ 1988 – Marathon
◦ 1992 – 1,500 meter
◦ 1992 – 800 meter
◦ 1996 – 1,500 meter
◦ 2004 – Marathon

Clayton competed in the 2008 marathon in Beijing, completing his sports career with a total of 7 Paralympic Games and 13 Paralympic medals. Not to mention the numerous medals he won at the World Championships.

Remembered as a fierce competitor whose determination pushed him and in turn pushed his competitors further than they had been pushed before, his “pure sport professionalism” took the quad class and the sport in general to another level. There was a “never give in” attitude brought to every race which his training partners knew with every session! Yet, as focused and dedicated as Clay was to his racing goals, he was always the first one there to lend a hand or advice to all his fellow racers. This fact was proven by the number of foreign athletes that actually made a trip to Regina (no small sacrifice!) to train under the guidance of Clay.

Most of all though, we will remember him as a very positive energetic and supportive friend, team mate and athlete. He had a tremendous influence on all who came across his path.

In addition to Clay’s athletic excellence, his influence as a role models for new athletes in sport was a role he relished in. His coaching positively influenced not only the “elite racers to be” but encouraged any and all to get and stay involved in sport at any level. It is hard to describe a true Champion in few words, but if we ever refer to a Champion in Paralympic sport – Clayton is the first name that comes to mind.

Our last and most important memory is the closing of the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing where we had a chance to get together for the last time, it was a great party for all of us, we enjoyed our time together had a great laugh, talked about old times and enjoyed ourselves. We were happy and nothing would interfere with this special moment. This moment will be what we carry with us for the rest of our life. Clayton was there and was the “carefree” person as we all knew him.

It is times like this that we are truly saddened by our loss. Clayton is the great friend, athlete, Champion we all knew and loved. For all those lucky enough to be called “his friend” we go on all the richer people for knowing you our Friend.

Clayton, we miss you but we will never forget your laugh, presence, happiness and carefree approach to life.

Rest in Peace buddy,

Rick, Chantal, Dean, Jeff, Kelly and Peter

19 Responses to “In Memory of Clayton Gerein”

Kristy Hughes
January 23rd, 2010 at 8:41 pm
Thank you so much for the beautiful article about Clayton. He will be truly missed. I alays enjoyed our time with him here in Cedartown. He was the first athlete our family hosted, and one of our favorites. Ptayers to his family and teammates. Sincerely, Kristy and Todd Hughes and Family
thomas
January 24th, 2010 at 8:09 am
i miss you so much my friend and brother……..you will be alsways present……..have a good time in heaven……..see you soon my friend…….love you…….
Brent McMahon
January 24th, 2010 at 11:21 am
Peter and Clayton’s Team -

Thank you for reminding us all of Clayton’s incredible accomplishments and professional CV. This has been a deeply personal time of reflection for many; all the people who got to know Clayton on personally, and knew him as a simply wonderful person, character, and friend we all looked forward to time with.

Looking at those accomplishments now reminds me of just how good an athlete and competitor he was. Peter, you nailed it: He raised the bar, he transformed the class. He made us all better–as athletes and as people.

Brent
Jimbo
January 24th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Beautiful Tribute Guys. I know there will be many more to come. It is still so hard to believe Clayt is gone, it seems like a bad dream and I just want to wake up now. He had the Heart of a Lion and magnificant Spirit ! I have been reading all the wonderful comments from all the lives Clayton has touched around the World. He was truely Loved by many …… and earned his wings Lets keep his memory alive !!! XOXOXO
Tom Cameron
January 24th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
That’s an excellent tribute to Clayton. The outpouring on this and the blog site clearly shows how much he was loved and admired. Do you know who shot the photo in your submission?
Charlene Linnen
January 24th, 2010 at 6:17 pm
Another cowboy joins the heavens…RIP Clayton.
Cheri Blauwet
January 24th, 2010 at 11:04 pm
Dearest friends and family,

Thank you, so much, for this beautiful tribute. The picture of Clayton above is about as lovely and poignant as one could hope to permanently engrain in our hearts and minds. This is most certainly as Clayton was - forceful, raw, honest, and with a smirk of kindness extended to his “people” - the wheelchair racing community that was so deeply a part of his identity.

I remember Clayton as an important role model in my younger years in racing - the friendly face at every event who was always there with just the right amount of tough love. “it’s raining, eh? so? I’d say you’d better keep pushing.” An incredible mentor. As I, also, became a part of this community, he evolved into a close friend and respected peer. My favorite memory of him will always be our post-Oita rebellion at the Japanese-Mexican (!?) tequila bar. That sombraro most certainly needs to be retired in Clayton’s name.

All I can think of doing tonight is to get on my roller in the cold Boston winter and push. And push, and push, until I can make a smile into the tears and know that it’s what he’d want us all to do. And then when I’m finished I think I’ll rub a little bit of klister on my cheek (and elbow, and knee, and forehead) in his memory.

We love you, Clayon, and will never for get you.

cheri
Rachael Burrows
January 24th, 2010 at 11:04 pm
very well worded guys and it depicts Clayton’s life and way he lived his life perfectly very well done RIP Clay
Nan Harman
January 25th, 2010 at 10:20 am
Thank you, Rick, Chantal, Dean, Jeff, Kelly and Peter for this extraordinary tribute to an extraordinary person. Clayton clearly enriched all the lives of those he touched, and I consider myself most fortunate to have enjoyed both his good company, and witnessed his superb racing acumen. He will be missed.
Scot Hollonbeck
January 25th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
As an athlete - he inspired us all. Seeing the fire in his eyes on the starting line of the cold, wet windy races was a rush. He chomped at the bit and made the work a challenge to enjoy. Add the body and chair covered in klister with a just the right amount of back handed wit while he was passing you on the track or road and well how could you not love him. After a win at Peachtree, a night of tequila celebration, watching him successfully work a lighter to set off a brick of fireworks - I was always impressed to see him doing a short 15 mile clean up on Brent McMahon’s rollers at 8am the next day. “Just a little clean up” he would say - as I sipped a coffee - oddly the clean up looked like intervals….
As a human - he was humble, said it straight, turned the other cheek and always had a smile to share. Thinking of Clayton - just makes me happy. What an honor to know him.
Ben Lucas
January 25th, 2010 at 2:01 pm
A wonderfully written tribute guys. Clay was a true legend in all senses of the word, a great competitor and a good bugger who we all will miss terribly. My thoughts go to Ruth, Jazzie and Zoe who Clay loved dearly and would talk about fondly at any given opportunity. The world is now that much poorer for Clay nt being with us.
Brent McMahon
January 25th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
Backhanded stroke to match that wit Scot.

And he left my house covered with Klister every time. Happy for it: Makes the fond memories even stickier.

Any way we can crowdsource pictures to this page guys? Got some good ones:)
Wendy & Saul
January 25th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Thanks ya’ll for the tribute, eh!!!

Our favorite memories of Clayton are from the annual Canadian camp down in Warm Springs, Ga. I think he even made a visit or two to the preacher/barber while he was there, I know he complained of the hills in the back handed wit that we all loved so much. However, my favorite was the after race celebrations of the Riverside Rumble. Watching him try to beat Bert Burns at quarters was priceless, actually I am not sure you could call it a win for either one (Bert use to say that was the only competition where he could beat Clayton). Saul’s favorite is at the Mexican food restaurant after Bloomsday, where they both graciously celebrated their years of victories together. Clayton didn’t complain about that hill! There are so many memories, these are just a few that Saul and I have. Of course the most precious are the overwelming number of victories we saw him take with the greatest of class, sportsmanship and respect for all his competitiors, coaches, event managers, teammates, and friends. If all athletes could learn from Clayton, who was the perfect role model in how to win a race and in life all together. Of course he had A Lot of practice in that win category. It was great to see all the Paralympic wins written out. However, his roadracing win record was out of this world amazing. Kurt Fearnley has many many years to go to even try to catch -up to the win record on the road of Clayton.

Clayton is an inspiration to us all. It is obvious that he will be missed by all who knew him. We loved every minute of precious time spent with Clayton. It is not good bye, it is see ya later our friend, eh!!

Wendy, Saul, and Paul (who will know him in stories & memories)
Tanni Grey-Thompson
January 26th, 2010 at 4:07 am
Wonderful tributes… I will always remember his smile, his wry wit, and as many of you have mentioned the klister… Clay introduced me to the wonders of klister as a young racer, and he would be in my Mothers thoughts as she would refuse to pick up my gloves because ‘they smelt funny’…

I remember one time going out to Oz Day, and Clay (and Rick) were in the room next door. Their door was open as I was leaving for training, and they were having a ‘conversation’ about coffee… I was surprised when they explained to me that they travelled with a coffee maker.. and Clay’s response, ‘doesn’t everyone’… It doesn’t sound like much, but the banter made it feel like home when I was such a long way from it

It was great when I was travelling, a lot of time on my own, to get to a race and see a familiar face… who always had some good advice about where to go for a beer…

Clay was a great inspiration, and will be missed. May his memory live on..
Matt Davis
January 26th, 2010 at 11:54 am
It is hard to believe that Clayton Won’t be at Oita or Bloomsday. You never find a better person to respresent the world of wheelchair racing. He was a great guy….

He will be missed…

Matt
Anonymous
January 29th, 2010 at 8:43 pm
He will forever be missed and was a true hero to me.
Edwin Figueroa
January 30th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
We gonad miss you friend !!!Champ!!! thank you for your good love friendship

you always gonad be remember good time, good moment, and great model

GOD BLESS YOU AND HAVE FUN IN HEAVEN…. SEE YOU SOON… CHAMP!!!!

Edwin F..
Santiago Sabz
January 31st, 2010 at 3:09 am
Thanks guys for the tribute, not enough words can define such a great racer and wonderful person.

We post an interview of Clayton a few years ago and I said when I get older I want to be as him.

Good memories of one night with Clayton and Saul in Toronto after racing.

All my support for his wife and duagthers.

Soon I´ll post my own tribute and I´ll begin my own fight with IPC for don´t loose Clayton´s favourite event (the marathon), now everybody would say will race Clayton´s distance instead of 26,2 miles.

Thanks for make growing this racing family,

Santi
jack Lai
February 21st, 2010 at 11:51 am
I am writing from Singapore.Although I don’t know Clayton personally,I share the thoughts of those especially his family who deeply felt his loss.I am also a physically challenged athlete and trust that he is in the good hands of our Lord.

Bro,you deserve your rest.It’s a matter of time before we catch up with you.

Jack Lai
Singapore