Runner Steve Shanks Dead at 45 After Completing the London Marathon

After completing the London Marathon in two hours and 53 minutes, runner Steve Shanks passed away suddenly on his way home from the race. He was 45.

“Everyone at London Marathon Events was deeply saddened to hear about the sudden death of Steve Shanks as he traveled home on Sunday 23 April after taking part in the London Marathon,” race organizers shared in a statement released after the runner’s death.

Continuing, they asked that the family’s privacy be respected during this troubling time. Organizers did not reveal a cause of death and said it shall be established later through a medical examination. But, according to his wife, his passing was sudden and shocking.

In a statement released on Facebook, the London Marathon participant’s wife Jess discussed her emotions surrounding the tragic loss.

“It’s with great sadness, that I wish to announce the loss of my wonderful husband, Stephen Shanks. His passing was sudden & out of the blue yesterday,” she wrote on social media. “He was returning home having spent the day participating in the London Marathon. “As you can imagine I’m absolutely in shock & devastated.”

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In addition to family and friends mourning his loss, Holme Pierrepont Running Club, where Shanks won multiple club championships, also publicly grieved the loss of their valuable member.

“We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of our friend Steve Shanks following the London Marathon. Steve had won many club championships over all distances, achieving a clean sweep in 2009,” the club said.

“He competed in races all over Europe and was a keen parkrun tourist, with a particular penchant for Poland,” the organization added. “His talents were not limited to road running and perhaps his greatest achievement was the completion of a Bob Graham Round in 2008.”

GoFundMe released in honor of the late Steve Shanks

Since his death, a GoFundMe was created in Shanks’ honor in order to help the Multiple Sclerosis Society, an organization the runner held close to his heart.

“Steve was a keen runner never happier than running anything, from his local Parkrun to the Bob Graham Round,” the description reads. “But he was more than just a runner he was a musician, a knitter, and a renowned quizzer who possessed 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.”

They concluded their tribute to the runner with the sentiments, “He will be greatly missed and always in our hearts and memories.”