Jan Marek

After Marcialonga in 1994, I noticed two skiers talking in Polish. I joined them. The young one had name famous although not in sport - Wojtyla, the older one - Jan Marek - difficult to distinguish, which was the first name and which last. There was not much time for lengthy discussion but I was charmed with witty, folk language of my countrymen and I continued contact with Jan Marek by mail. I was quite impressed how wise and literate person he was.

In 1998, I visited Jan Marek in his home in Pogórze near Skoczów. He lived on his own farm. Had 6 cows in a barn and small piece of land. First thing we did

was to ski around his paddock.

Jan lived in newly completed brick home. But the heating was switched off.

- Does not make sense to heat such a big home just for one person - he said - what do you think?

Well, I thought that we will spend most time outdoors, so agreed that heating would be a waste. Anyway, we sat together in a warm kitchen.

We drove to Skoczów for lunch. There I discovered how popular person Jan was. Many people greeted him in the street. Some of them stopped to share with him some news or just to chat for a while. He was town councilor for many years. I could see, that even in communist system, if someone really wanted to do something practical, it could have been achieved.

In the meantime, Jan familiarized me with long history of Skoczów and life of its famous citizen - Jan Sarkander.

At the end of the day, Jan led me to my room. It was terribly cold and even colder was my doona. I put on some warm clothes and went to the bed. This was a mistake. I was slowly warming up the doona and melting whatever was frozen in it. Soon, my warm clothes was wet and getting cold. I could not sleep all night. Next night, I tried another method. I put on quite thin pyjamas. Initially, I was terribly cold, but relatively quickly my body warmed up the doona and I could sleep.

Most of the time was filled with skiing. One day, we drove to Stozek, that I could have some downhill skiing. But mostly we spent time on cross-country skis.

On Sunday, on Kubalonka, there was some competition for junior skiers. I could see how much Jan was respected as a ski coach and as a guide and counselor for young people.

During evening meal, Jan told me about his favourite project, Mountain Run on the St John's day (summer solstice). It was also his name-day. It is a bit of vanity to organise a race on my name-day - he admitted.

I had to move to Slovakia, for a Bela Stopa ski marathon. My next meeting with Jan was in 2001, in Lienz, Austria. First, I met him by accident during night sprints in the city. He was preoccupied with organizing accommodation for a group of Polish skiers, who came there for DolomitenLauf. And then, at the end of the race, he was waiting for me at the finish line.

- Why are you so late, Lech - he asked with friendly smile - I got cold waiting for you so long.

Few days later, I met him again, this time in Italy. First during Lavaze Loppet, then at the start of Marcialonga ski marathon. It was terribly cold and I was not dressed properly. He looked with worry at my thin racing clothes and gave me some friendly warning.

Few months later, I received a letter from his relatives, that Jan lost his life in a road accident. Then I remembered as he told me about his name-day mountain run, and that he said, he would be pleased very much if I could participate in it. The opportunity came in 2008, it was like a dream.