An “experienced runner” who completed the London Marathon in less than three hours on Sunday died as he traveled home from the race.
Steve Shanks, 45, from Bingham, Nottingham, had completed and finished “many” marathons the event in the capital after 2:53:26.
In a statement posted on social media, his wife Jess said his passing was “out of the blue” and that he had “returned home after participating all day” in London.
“As you can imagine I am absolutely in shock and devastated,” she added.
As a tribute to “our friend Steve”, the Holme Pierrepont Running Club posted a message on its website to say it is “shocked and saddened” at the passing of Mr Shanks.
The club added: “He will be greatly missed and we offer our sincerest condolences to our friend, his wife Jess.”
TCS London Marathon confirmed news of his death on Wednesday and expressed its “sincere condolences”.
The organization said “everyone at London Marathon Events was deeply saddened” to hear of Mr Shanks’ sudden death.
Read more:
How the London Marathon is trying to ‘change the face of running’
London Marathon record broken – as Sir Mo Farah bows
“All those involved in the organization of the London Marathon would like to extend our sincere condolences to Steve’s wife Jess, his family and friends,” TCS London Marathon added.
“A fundraising page for the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society has been set up in Steve’s memory.”
The fundraising page raised more than £4,500 in its first 18 hours.
MS was described on the GoFundMe page as a cause “close to Steve’s heart” as several of his close friends have the condition.
“Steve was an avid runner who was never happier than anything from his local Parkrun to the Bob Graham Round,” it continued.
“But he was more than just a runner – he was (a) musician, a knitter and a renowned quizzer with extensive knowledge of terrible pop music.
“He was a loving husband and soul mate to his wife Jess, dear son and son-in-law, and a dearly beloved friend.
“He will be greatly missed and always in our hearts and memories.”
A spokesman for the MS Society said that while Mr Shanks did not stand up for them, they were “deeply saddened” to learn of his death.
Not all news on the site reflects the site’s point of view, but we automatically transmit and translate this news through programmatic technology on the site and not from a human editor.
