Club stalwart and prolific medallist on every level, Bjorn Arne Dybdahl crossed life’s finish line on Saturday, October 12, with the dignity and integrity he raced with. Bjorn was a long time member of Masters, often completing the short run followed by the long run in handicapped days when time permitted, while partner Deb Wolfenden competed in the walk.
Proudly Norwegian born, Bjorn was competitive on the world stage for Australia across a range of events, being a valuable team member in cross country teams on many occasions. His natural speed was combined with sheer hard work, building his endurance to a level where in 2001 he placed third in the open Sri Chinmoy 100km road event in 9:10.43. A fine steeplechaser, a finalist at world level over 800m and one of the finishers in the marathon where the stadium was to witness distressed finishers in the severe heat. There was one certainty, Bjorn would finish and he did.
Bjorn was a great pacemaker, and always David’s number one choice to help him achieve his World Records.
Bjorn was able to converse on a myriad of subjects with depth and knowledge, despite a hearing loss and English being his second language. Passionate, but never loud, intellectual, but never condescending he was a popular man, a fierce competitor and a much loved grandfather, father and partner. He will be missed….
Bjorn’s funeral will be held at Karrakatta at 10.30 AM on Wednesday 23rd October