Physically fit and experienced runner, Steve Shanks completed the London Marathon in an impressive 2 hours and 53 minutes but suddenly died while traveling home just hours after the event.
The organizers of the London Marathon released in a statement, “Everyone at London Marathon Events was deeply saddened to hear about the sudden death of Steve Shanks as he travelled home on Sunday 23 April after taking part in the London Marathon.”
They added that a “cause of death will be established later through medical examination” and offered condolences to Shanks’ wife, Jess, as well as to family and friends.
Jess took to social media following the unexpected and heartbreaking loss. “It’s with great sadness, that I wish to announce the loss of my wonderful husband, Stephen Shanks. His passing was sudden & out of the blue yesterday,” she said. “He was returning home having spent the day participating in the London Marathon,” she added. “As you can imagine I’m absolutely in shock & devastated.”
Shanks was a member and won several championships at Holme Pierrepont Running Club. His running club wrote in a statement, mourning his loss, “We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of our friend Steve Shanks following the London Marathon. Steve had won many club championships over all distances, achieving a clean sweep in 2009.”
Holme Pierrepont’s message continued, “He competed in races all over Europe and was a keen parkrun tourist, with a particular penchant for Poland. His talents were not limited to road running and perhaps his greatest achievement was the completion of a Bob Graham Round in 2008.”
Everyone at London Marathon Events was deeply saddened to hear about the sudden death of Steve Shanks as he travelled home on Sunday 23 April after taking part in the London Marathon.
A fundraising page has been set up in Steve’s memory here: https://t.co/8HJePAUSkf pic.twitter.com/Dh0CyxMY32
— TCS London Marathon (@LondonMarathon) April 26, 2023
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