A 24-year-old man who died during the Cardiff Half Marathon earlier this month has been identified as Ross Williams-Griffiths. Ross, from Bargoed, suffered a cardiac arrest while competing in the race on Sunday, October 4.
Family's tribute
In a statement issued through Run 4 Wales on Wednesday, Ross's family described him as someone who "brought laughter, loyalty and warmth wherever he went." They said he was "active, fit and full of life" and had "embraced every opportunity to make the most of his time with family and friends."
His relatives noted he "approached everything with enthusiasm and determination," whether playing football, golf, snowboarding, bodyboarding, or preparing for his next running challenge. An avid runner and goalkeeper, Ross had spent months training for the Cardiff half marathon with his partner Katie. Known as 'Team Griff-Bow', the pair were running in aid of Tenovus Cancer Care, a charity particularly meaningful to them.
A life remembered
Ross had recently started running with a local club alongside his brother Rhys and fiancé Jayde, according to Wales Online. He was described as "kind, generous and hard-working, a friendly face who never had a bad word to say about anyone," with "a unique ability to make people feel welcome wherever he went."
Ross, who had built a promising career with GE Aerospace and earned respect from colleagues, had a passion for travel, camping, and festival-going with family and friends, often taking charge of organising every aspect of their trips, from accommodation to schedules, his family said.
Family's statement
He leaves behind his parents, Mandy and Shane, his siblings, his infant nephew, and his girlfriend Katie. The family said: "Ross was a young, fit and healthy man who loved running and being part of the community that surrounded it. He was kind, caring and full of life, and brought laughter, loyalty and warmth wherever he went."
They added: "The support we have received since losing Ross has been overwhelming and we are deeply grateful for the kindness shown to our family. We know that many people have wished to honour Ross and show their support following his death, and we wanted them to know who Ross was and how much he meant to us."
"While we are yet to learn the exact cause of Ross' death, we hope that sharing his story may raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest. If raising awareness in Ross' memory helps even one family avoid the heartbreak we are experiencing, then that will be part of his lasting legacy."
Run 4 Wales response
Matt Newman, chief executive of Run 4 Wales, commented: "Everyone at Run 4 Wales continues to hold Ross' family and friends in our thoughts. The loss of a runner at one of our events is felt deeply by all involved, and our focus remains on supporting Ross' loved ones in any way we can."
He added: "We are grateful to the event and hospital medical teams who responded with extraordinary speed and professionalism. We thank Ross' family for sharing his story during such a difficult time. We hope that the awareness they wish to raise in his memory will honour a young man who meant so much to so many people."
Run 4 Wales confirmed it is maintaining a close working relationship with bereavement support charity 2wish, which will continue to provide assistance to Ross's family and friends. Ross's family is raising money for 2wish.
