Runners to finish marathon for racer who died
THOUSANDS of runners have pledged to complete the London Marathon race of a MasterChef semi-finalist who died just short of the finish.
Matt Campbell, 29, collapsed at the 22-and-ahalf mile mark of Sunday’s race, which was the hottest ever with temperatures reaching 75.3F (24.1C). Water stations ran out and dozens of runners were hit by heat exhaustion.
The award-winning chef from Kendal, Cumbria, had been hoping to raise £2,500 for a local children’s charity in memory of his father Martin, who died 18 months ago.
Last night, donations to his online fundraising page had topped £128,000.
And more than 2,300 people have said they will run the remaining miles that Mr Campbell was unable to complete, with each raising at least £5 for his JustGiving page.
Writing on the ‘Finish for Matt’ Facebook page, runner Matt Dorber said: ‘It may be in London, Somerset, Manchester, wherever you are, but if as many people can do a 3.7mile run and give £5 to Matt’s JustGiving page, I think that’d be a nice gesture.’
Mr Campbell collapsed near Tower Hill and was treated at the scene by race doctors but died on arrival at hospital.
Two weeks ago the ultra-fit chef had com- pleted the Manchester marathon in three hours and had recently also completed a marathon in Provence, France.
On Sunday he was running for the Brathay Trust, a Cumbria charity which helps vulnerable children.
MasterChef judge Marcus Wareing, the Michelin-starred chef, said: ‘He was a talented, innovative and driven chef with a bright future ahead of him. My thoughts are with his friends and family at this tragic time.’
Food journalist Jay Rayner said: ‘I presented Matt with an award for outstanding achievement at last month’s Cumbria Life Food and Drink Awards. He was clever and hugely creative and innovative.’
Mr Campbell began his career working in Michelin-starred restaurants after finishing second in the BBC’s Young Chef of the Year aged 20 in 2009.
He left Britain for the French Alps to work in private villas and luxury ski chalets, but returned last year to enter MasterChef: The Professionals, making it through to the semi-finals.
His JustGiving page is at www.justgiving. com/fundraising/mattcampbell-londonmarathon