31/08/2026
𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐢𝐳 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Liz Chelin, who passed away peacefully last night.
Liz and her husband, JP, joined Westville Athletic Club in the mid-1990s. Already an accomplished athlete, Liz's competitive spirit flourished in the colours of Westville, and she quickly became a formidable runner, frequently finding herself on the podium and playing a key role in ladies' team victories.
Liz's forte was ultra-distance running. She earned her Comrades Green Number, including a First Club Runner award, and was one of a small and elite group of women to achieve a Comrades Silver Medal. During a particularly successful period for Westville's ladies' team in the mid-1990s, Liz was often at the front, helping the team dominate team podiums.
Her achievements included major road-race victories, among them the Bergville to Ladysmith Ultra, where she was honoured with race life membership after completing the race 21 times. Her performances also earned her Provincial honours.
But Liz's contribution to Westville was about far more than her running.
Liz and JP were passionate club members who served on the Westville AC Committee and were deeply involved in the life of the club. They were also an important part of the Westville social fabric. Liz and JP were famously among the first couple on the dance floor and, more often than not, among the last to leave. Her commitment to the club was recognised with a Chairperson's Award.
When Liz and JP later moved to Hillcrest and began training with members of Hillcrest Athletic Club, they eventually made the decision to join Hillcrest AC. But even as her running took her elsewhere, her connection to Westville remained firm.
Liz approached her battle with illness with the same grit and determination that had defined her running career, outliving the odds by a considerable margin. Through it all, she remained firmly family-first, surrounded by those she loved.
Liz leaves behind her beloved husband JP, her son Cuan and daughter Caryn, as well as their extended family and a close circle of friends who have been inspired by her strength and determination.
For those of us at Westville, Liz will always be remembered not only for the races she won and the medals she earned, but for the friendship, commitment, laughter and memories she gave to our club.
Thank you, Liz, for the miles, the memories and the legacy you leave behind.
Our deepest condolences to JP, Cuan, Caryn and all of Liz's loved ones.
𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙𝑦, 𝐿𝑖𝑧. 𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑒𝑝𝑙𝑦 𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑊𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑣𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑦.
