The Hilton son of missing runner John Lawton says there’s no relief in finding his body

THE body of missing runner John Lawton has been found on a mountain in Greece.

The 62-year-old went missing on April 8 while taking part in the 35km Taygetos Challenge, near Kalamata. He was found eight kilometres from the course by two Greek walkers last Tuesday (August 14).

His wife Lynda, son Stephen and daughter-in-law Rachel, from Hilton, flew out to Greece the following day to identify the body.

Stephen told The Hunts Post: “I got a call saying that someone had been found on a Greek mountainside but it wasn’t confirmed who it was.

“It looks like he followed a track made by goat shepherds as there were red markings, which could look like the course. It would have got more and more difficult for him, but we will never know the exact circumstances.

“Through sheer exhaustion of walking or running on a dangerous path, it looks as if he fell and cracked his head on a rock and died immediately. It’s reassuring that his final hours were not long and overtly painful.”

He added: “There’s no relief that he has been found, just sadness because there was still a small element of hope and that has been totally extinguished.

“We’re thankful for the support of Greek search volunteers GAIA Alert, Cheshire Search and Rescue and John’s running club for their help searching and the people in Hilton and in Huntingdonshire and the people who didn’t even know my dad, for their kind words and prayers that have kept us positive.”

Mr Lawson’s funeral will take place in the next few weeks when his body is repatriated.