Family’s grief over runner death tragedy
EXPERIENCED RUNNER, 35, WHO COLLAPSED NEAR FINISH OF CARDIFF HALF MARATHON WAS ‘A WONDERFUL FAMILY MAN’
A RUNNER who died after taking part in the Cardiff Half Marathon was a 35-year-old who’d completed the race twice before, organisers said yesterday.
Nicholas Beckley suffered a cardiac arrest and received immediate attention in the medical centre at the finish line of Sunday’s event.
He died in hospital after being taken to the University Hospital of Wales.
His devastated family and friends yesterday remembered him as a wonderful and kind individual.
Mr Beckley worked as a senior planner at Cardiff council and was a former Cardiff University student.
As well as having run the race twice before, he was a regular runner and football player for Cardiff club Cosmopolitan FC.
His brother, Andrew Beckley, described him as “a true gentleman who will be sorely missed and always loved by all”.
In a statement, Andrew said: “Nick was born in north Devon in 1983, moving to Cardiff in 2003 to study at Cardiff University.
“Having gained a degree and masters in Strategic Planning and Urban Design, he joined Cardiff council as a town planner and was recently appointed as a senior planner.
“Although extremely proud to be from Devon and a country boy at heart, Nick was hugely passionate about Cardiff and saw it as his home.
“Nick loved sport and in particular, football and running. He represented Appledore Football Club (Devon) and Cardiff University and was a longstanding member of Cardiff Cosmopolitan FC, where he had played for more than 10 years.
“Nick ran regularly, typically around Cardiff Bay, where he lived, and he had completed the Cardiff Half Marathon twice before.
“He was a big fan of the event and was so pleased to see how it has grown over the last few years.
“Above all, Nick was a family man. He is the much loved son of Marilyn and Geoff, brother to Andy and Chris, boyfriend to Natalie and uncle to Leo and Isaac. Nick enjoyed travelling and both he and Natalie visited many countries together over the past few years.”
Cosmopolitan FC also paid tribute to Mr Beckley on social media.
Writing on Twitter, it said: “Yesterday we lost one of our own. Nick Beckley will forever be known for his kindnesses, energetic spirit and love for his family and friends.
“Today and every day going forward we send our love to his family and friends. A truly wonderful man, friend, and brother. Rest in peace.”
Matt Newman, chief executive of Run 4 Wales, said: “The thoughts of everyone connected with the race are with Nick’s family and friends at this difficult time.
“The medical team and emergency services reacted with great speed and professionalism to his collapse on the finish and he received specialist medical care within a minute of finishing.
“We will remain in close contact with the family and will continue to support them in every way we can.”
Cardiff council’s leader Huw Thomas said: “I was desperately sorry to hear the news of Nick’s death. He was one of our own; a valued friend to his colleagues, and a rising star in the council’s planning department. He will be sorely missed in County Hall, and I know we all send our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
Mr Beckley’s family are raising money in his memory for mental health charity Mind.