Tragedy as London Marathon runner, 45, dies on his way home after finishing race in under three hours - as his 'devastated' wife pays tribute to 'wonderful' husband
- Steve Shanks, 45, was described as a 'very experienced runner' by organisers
- He had previously completed many marathons but died suddenly on way home
A seasoned runner who completed the London Marathon in less than three hours died suddenly on his way home after the race.
Steve Shanks, from Bingham, Nottingham, died while travelling home after celebrating his achievement on Sunday, organisers of the race announced.
The 45-year-old's devastated wife Jessica Shanks described her heartbreak in an emotional Facebook post, while runners have been paying tribute - including Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts, a fellow racer at the marathon, who said she was 'very sad' to hear the news.
Mrs Shanks wrote: 'It's with great sadness, that I wish to announce the loss of my wonderful husband, Stephen Shanks. His passing was sudden and out of the blue. He was returning home having spent the day participating in the London Marathon.
'As you can imagine I'm absolutely in shock and devastated.'
Mr Shanks completed the race on Sunday in the impressive time of two hours and 53 minutes. He had won multiple club championships across various distances, and is said to have travelled all across Europe to compete in events, styling himself as a 'ParkRun tourist' who particularly enjoyed running in Poland.
Steve Shanks celebrates with his medal on Sunday - after which he died suddenly travelling home
Mr Shanks competed in the London Marathon at the weekend
Husband and wife Jess and Steve Shanks pose at a ParkRun event in Poland, a country Mr Shanks especially liked travelling to
Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts said she was 'very sad' to hear the news
His local club, Holme Pierrepont Running Club, said it was 'shocked and saddened' to learn of his death.
The club said: 'We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of our friend Steve Shanks following the London Marathon.'
A spokesman for the London Marathon said in a statement: 'Everyone at London Marathon Events was deeply saddened to hear about the sudden death of Steve Shanks as he travelled home on Sunday April 23 after taking part in the London Marathon.
'The cause of death will be established later through medical examination.'
Organisers included a link to a fundraising page to gather donations for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. It is understood Mr Shanks had friends with the disease.
They added: 'Steve was a keen runner never happier than running anything, from his local Parkrun, to the Bob Graham Round. But he was more than just a runner, he was musician, a knitter, and a renowned quizzer possessed of extensive knowledge of terrible pop music.
'He was a loving husband and soulmate of his wife Jess, treasured son and son in law, and a much loved friend. He will be greatly missed and always in our hearts and memories.'
Mr Shanks was a 'very experienced' runner who had complete multiple other marathons
Mr Shanks died shortly after completing the London Marathon on Sunday, leaving his wife Jess and family 'devastated'
A spokesman for the London Marathon said in a statement: 'Everyone at London Marathon Events was deeply saddened to hear about the sudden death of Steve Shanks as he travelled home on Sunday April 23 after taking part in the London Marathon'
Adele Roberts was among those paying tribute to Mr Shanks on Wednesday (Pictured: Ms Roberts after completing the London Marathon on Sunday)
An MS Society spokesman said that although Mr Shanks did not run for them they are 'deeply saddened' to hear of his death.
Ed Tait, executive director of engagement and income generation, said: 'We're deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Steve Shanks, and offer our heartfelt condolences to his family.
'More than 130,000 people live with MS in the UK, and we're incredibly grateful that vital funds are being raised for those affected by the condition, in Steve's memory.'
According to the charity, MS is a neurological condition, affecting the body's nerves, that 'stays with you for life' once diagnosed and can be managed by treatments and specialists.
More than 48,000 runners were confirmed to have completed the marathon on Sunday.
Since the beginning of the race in 1981, 13 runners excluding Mr Shanks have died in the London Marathon.
According to Peak Performance, seven cardiac deaths occurred between 1991 and 2003.
In 2007, David Rodgers died after completing his first London Marathon because he drank too much water. Rogers, 29, collapsed at the end of the race and died in Charing Cross Hospital.
Five years later, a 30-year-old woman collapsed and died while running in the London Marathon. She collapsed at Birdcage Walk, near St James' Park, on the final stretch of the 26.2-mile course.
A year later, Claire Squires suffered a cardiac arrest and never regained consciousness towards the end of the race.
Captain David Seath, suffered a suspected cardiac arrest while running the 26.2-mile course in 2016 and later died in hospital. Seath was a fire support team commander in the 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery.
In 2018, Matt Campbell - who appeared on Masterchef: The Professionals - died after running the hottest-ever London Marathon where temperatures reached almost 25C.
Campbell collapsed during the marathon just four miles from the finish.
Last year, a 36-year-old man died after collapsing just two miles from the finishing line. Despite receiving immediate medical treatment and ambulance assistance within three minutes, the participant later died in the hospital.
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