Pyatt the Renegade leaves a huge legacy

Columnist Gavin Caney pays tribute to a living legend of the athletics world in his weekly Your Local Paper column.It’s time to pay tribute to someone while they can read it.At various points over the years, I’ve penned eulogies to greats of the local sports scene.Sadly, it’s always been after they’ve passed away. So I made a decision that this time the hero will be honoured while they are still around to see it.Step forward, Matt Pyatt.The 47-year-old has decided that after seven-and-a-half years it’s time to step down from being the group leader of the Renegade Runners.Set up in May 2017, one of the finest areas West Norfolk has ever produced decided it was time to create an alternative to the local clubs; some of which he represented during his time as a younger runner. Pyatt wanted to give something back and not be governed by club politics, governing bodies and fees. There was guidance, there was structure but there were no rules – it was time for the Renegade Master (RM) to do something different. What followed was a beautiful movement that has seen hundreds of runners don whatever colour of vest they want while sporting the group’s name – or never even wearing the name at all.Training together, training alone, being an active participant on Facebook, working in the background.It’s been a happy place for so many to start running, return to running or keep running, regardless of their age or ability. Pyatt has watched as his members have trained with local clubs and represented them while remaining a Renegade at heart. His arms have always been open. They have swept all in and supported them on their journey; whether that’s to remain active, tackle a 5k or become one of the best around. Pyatt took Mitchell Bunn under his wing as the master passed on his baton to the best that the next generation has to offer.RM’s left the type of legacy that others can only dream of. As an individual, he’s won races and set personal bests that club runners can only dream of.Almost 300 parkruns at King’s Lynn, of which he’s won hundreds. Yet it’s the friendships he has formed, the Tuesday night Walks runs and the Wednesday track sessions he has hosted, that will leave the greatest mark.Pyatt has changed lives. He’s made people healthier and happier and achieve things beyond their wildest expectations.A new job, a rekindled love of watching live football and a battered body means it’s time for someone else to fill an unfillable void. Supported by his son Stanley, wife Lisa and dad Charlie, all fine runners themselves, it’s been a family effort too.The word Pyatt will forever be linked to running and so many of us, myself included, owe them and Matt, the world. Football operates in cycles.A club can dominate for a number of years, or tournaments, but those players will get older and other sides will improve.Look at Liverpool in the 1980s, Man United in the 1990s and Spain in 2008, 2010 and 2012. All have had barren years after their periods of success.It looks that Man City are about to embark on their downward curve. Time has caught up with Pep Guardiola and Man City. They were never going to win the Premier League for the rest of time but it’s the speed of their decline which has been the most staggering.Eight defeats in 11 matches is a seismically poor run given their results over the past four years.The wheels haven’t just come off, the engine has fallen out too.If Pep can turn this around it would be one of the greatest comebacks ever. City’s levels have fallen off a cliff and their performances have been beyond below-par.The standards and intensity they have set are impossible to replicate year on year and it feels like the squad needs a real reset.It’s what Sir Alex Ferguson did so well at United; he saw the wheels turning. Somehow it hasn’t been that way with City.The loss of Rodri hasn’t helped but that doesn’t excuse the performances from players who just aren’t used to times like these. Merry Christmas to all of you who continue to read this column.For more than seven years I have been penning my weekly thoughts and I remain thankful for the opportunity to do it and the engagement it creates.There’s nothing better than debating any talking points with readers, especially when they disagree with me.Being a columnist leaves you open to criticism but I’m always happy to take on board feedback and opinions when I’m so ready to provide my own. My favourite interaction of the year has to be while I was a few sherberts deep in Rewind watching the Euro 2024 final.A young lad said: “You’re the guy who writes a column in Your Local Paper aren’t you?”I nodded and he replied: “I read it every week”.Just before I had a chance to say thanks he quipped: “It’s rubbish isn’t it?”The delivery was perfect, my mates were in hysterics and while he informed me he was only joking, it was the type of moment that reminded me I am really lucky to still have this space to air my thoughts.The local media landscape is always changing so who knows whether I’ll be around next year to write some season’s greetings? But as we begin to reflect on 2024, I remain thankful.It will be business as usual with two columns appearing over the festive period.Merry Christmas all.