29-year-old man died during a half marathon he was racing to raise money and awareness for mental health issues
British runner Sam Wealleans fell ill along the Great North Run route – later died
British runner Sam Wealleans. Photo: Great Run company
A community in the U.K. is reeling after a runner died while competing in a half marathon.
According to reports from the BBC, The Independent and Manchester Evening News, Sam Wealleans, 29, died soon after he collapsed during the AJ Bell Great North Run, which began in Newcastle, England on Sunday, Sept. 8.
Per the outlets, he had just two miles left in the race — which he was running to support the mental health advocacy charity Mind, according to his fundraising page.
Wealleans’ parents, Paul and Paula, said in a statement to the BBC that they were “devastated and heartbroken following the sudden and unexpected death of our beloved son, Sam.”
“We have been overwhelmed by the thousands of kind messages and charitable donations from people across the country and would like to sincerely thank everyone for their support and sympathy,” his parents continued. “Our family have taken great comfort in knowing he was loved by all who knew him.”
British runner Sam Wealleans fell ill along the Great North Run route – later died
Sam Wealleans during the Great North Run. Great Run company
The outlets reported that no cause of death has been made public, but Wealleans was transported to a hospital after collapsing during the 13.1 mile-long (or 21 km) race.
According to his fundraiser, Wealleans — who was originally from the northern England seaside town of Newbiggin-by-the-Sea — had dedicated his run to the memory of his sister, Carly, and family friend Matty Wall.
“1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England,” the 29-year-old wrote before his death. “If the money I raise helps just 1 person who’s going through a difficult time and prevents them from taking their own life I’ll be happy!”
By Monday, Sept. 16, donations to the fundraiser surpassed £30,000 (about $39,000), exceeding Wealleans’ original £350 goal. The outlets also reported that hundreds of community members turned out on Sunday, Sept. 15, to re-run the final two miles of the race — which ended in the town of South Shields — in honor of the runner.
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