Former Wales rugby centre Allan Bateman completed the Cardiff Half Marathon on Sunday in memory of his daughter Naomi, who died at the age of 34 after a battle with triple-negative breast cancer. He crossed the finish line alongside Naomi's friends, all wearing T-shirts bearing her name, to raise money for Tenovus cancer charity. Over £20,000 has been raised in her memory.
A race for Naomi
The dual-code international had previously said he would take part in the race to raise money for cancer research, raise awareness of triple-negative breast cancer, and put his daughter's name "where people would see". Bateman, 61, looked emotional as he hugged Naomi's loved ones after completing the 13.1-mile course in a time of 2:15:40.
He previously paid tribute to his daughter, describing her as "a soul completely full of love, life, and an unwavering kindness". He added: "She looked at the world with empathy, choosing a vegan life out of a deep, protective love for all animals. And then, there was her laugh. It was a wonderful, beautifully screechy, entirely infectious laugh that could instantly bright up the darkest room. To know Naomi was to know pure warmth."
Other Welsh greats take part
Bateman was not the only Welsh rugby legend spotted running through the streets of Cardiff, with Adam Jones and Gareth Thomas also taking part. Tighthead Jones completed his first half marathon in 2:34:10 after deciding he needed to change after seeing himself on TV last year. The 45-year-old lost five stone and started his running journey with the Couch to 5k app, raising over £5,000 for St David's Hospice Care and Prostate Cymru.
Jones previously said the challenge was more about getting around than finishing in a specific time. "I am a little nervous about it, but I'm buzzing," he said. "It's going to be mental. I'm hoping the Welsh public will get me around the last few miles."
Thomas finishes ahead
Former captain Thomas crossed the line ahead of Bateman and Jones, completing the course in 1:50:09. He ran in a Tackle HIV bib, an initiative he leads which aims to raise awareness and stop HIV stigma.
