Tributes paid to man, 35, who collapsed and died during the Cardiff Half Marathon while his girlfriend was still running the race
A runner collapsed and died after crossing the finishing line of a half marathon while his girlfriend was still running the race.
Super-fit Nick Beckley, 35, suffered a suspected cardiac arrest and was taken to hospital but couldn’t be revived.
His girlfriend Natalie Noble, 34, only discovered Nick had died after she completed the 13-mile course.
Nick is the third runner to die of an undiagnosed heart condition while competing in the the Cardiff Half Marathon in the last two years.
Organisers urged the 27,500 runners to get health checks after Ben McDonald, 25, and Dean Fletcher, 32, died in the 2018 event.
Tributes were paid to running fanatic Nick who had completed the half marathon course twice before.
His brother Andrew said: “Nick was a true gentleman who will be sorely missed and always loved by all.
“Nick ran regularly, typically around Cardiff Bay, where he lived, and he had completed the Cardiff Half Marathon twice before.
“He was a big fan of the event and was so pleased to see how it has grown over the last few years.”
‘NICK LOVED SPORT’
Nick was born in Bideford, Devon, but studied at Cardiff University and stayed on after getting a job as a planner with Cardiff Council.
His brother said: “Nick loved sport and in particular, football and running.
“He enjoyed travelling and both he and Natalie visited many countries together over the past few years.”
Organisers gave runners advice on their fitness and First Aid help was increased at the finishing post.
Matt Newman, chief executive of Run 4 Wales, said: “The medical team and emergency services reacted with great speed and professionalism to his collapse on the finish and he received specialist medical care within a minute of finishing.
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“The thoughts of everyone connected with the race are with Nick’s family and friends at this difficult time.
“We will remain in close contact with the family and will continue to support them in every way we can.”
Nick’s parents Geoff and Marilyn and brothers Andrew and Chris are raising money in his memory for the mental health charity Mind.
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