A 24-year-old man who died during the Cardiff Half Marathon earlier this month has been named as Ross Williams-Griffiths. Ross, from Bargoed, died after suffering a cardiac arrest during the race on Sunday, October 4.
In a statement released through Run 4 Wales on Wednesday, Ross' family said he "brought laughter, loyalty and warmth wherever he went". Described as "active, fit and full of life", Ross' family said he had "embraced every opportunity to make the most of his time with family and friends". They said he "approached everything with enthusiasm and determination", whether he was playing football, golf, snowboarding, bodyboarding or training for his next running challenge.
A keen runner and goalkeeper
A keen runner and a goalkeeper for Rhymney FC, Ross, alongside his partner Katie, had trained for the Cardiff half for months prior to the event. They were known affectionately as 'Team Griff-Bow' and were running the race together in support of Tenovus Cancer Care, a cause close to their hearts. Ross had also recently begun to run with a local running club with his brother Rhys and fiancé Jayde.
Ross 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".
Family tribute and legacy
Ross, who had built a promising career with GE Aerospace and was admired by colleagues, also had a love of travelling, camping and attending festivals with family and friends, and was often the person entrusted with organising every detail of their adventures, from booking accommodation to planning itineraries, his family said.
He is survived by his parents, Mandy and Shane, his siblings, his baby nephew and by 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."
"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."
Support and next steps
Chief executive of Run 4 Wales, Matt Newman, added: "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."
"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 says it continues to work closely with bereavement support charity 2wish, which will continue to offer support to Ross' family and friends. Anyone wishing to donate in Ross' memory to help fund cardiac screening can do so, and his family are also raising money for 2wish.
