“ACTIVE, FIT AND FULL OF LIFE”: Family Pays Heartbreaking Tribute to 24-Year-Old Runner Who Died During Cardiff Half Marathon

Ross Williams-Griffiths, 24, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while running alongside his girlfriend in the Cardiff Half Marathon. His devastated family say they hope sharing his story will raise awareness and help prevent another family from enduring the same heartbreak.

A young man described by his family as kind, generous and full of life has died after suffering a cardiac arrest during a half marathon in Wales.

Ross Williams-Griffiths, from Bargoed, South Wales, collapsed while taking part in the Cardiff Half Marathon on Sunday, October 4, 2026.

The 24-year-old had spent months preparing for the 13.1-mile race with his girlfriend, Katie Bowen. The couple were running together to raise money for Tenovus Cancer Care, a charity close to their hearts.

But what should have been a proud sporting achievement ended in tragedy.

Ross suffered a cardiac arrest approximately 12 miles into the race. Despite receiving urgent medical attention, he could not be saved.

Now, his family has released an emotional tribute to the young runner, remembering a man who brought laughter, warmth and loyalty to everyone around him.

“KIND, CARING AND FULL OF LIFE”

In a statement shared through race organiser Run 4 Wales, Ross’s family described him as a young man who loved being active and making the most of every opportunity.

They said he brought “laughter, loyalty and warmth” wherever he went and had a unique ability to make people feel welcome.

Ross was passionate about sport and enjoyed football, golf, snowboarding, bodyboarding and running. He was also a keen goalkeeper who loved being part of a team.

His relatives said he approached everything with enthusiasm and determination, whether training for a race, organising an adventure or spending time with friends.

They described him as kind, generous and hard-working — someone who never had a bad word to say about anyone.

For those who knew him, Ross was not simply an athlete. He was a much-loved son, brother, partner and friend whose presence brought happiness into everyday life.

A RACE HE HAD TRAINED FOR ALONGSIDE HIS GIRLFRIEND

Ross had been preparing for the Cardiff Half Marathon for months.

He and Katie were affectionately known as “Team Griff-Bow” and chose to run in support of Tenovus Cancer Care.

The charity connection made the challenge particularly meaningful to them, giving their training and participation a purpose beyond the finish line.

Ross had also recently begun running with a local club alongside his brother, Rhys, and Rhys’s fiancée, Jayde.

Running had become another way for him to connect with people he loved while challenging himself physically.

The Cardiff Half Marathon attracts thousands of participants each year, from experienced athletes to people taking on personal challenges and raising money for good causes.

For Ross, the event was meant to be another opportunity to embrace a sport he loved and share the experience with Katie.

Instead, his family is now facing a loss they never imagined possible.

MEDICAL TEAMS RUSHED TO HELP

The incident occurred during the Cardiff Half Marathon on October 4.

Race organiser Run 4 Wales confirmed the death of a participant shortly after the event, initially withholding further details out of respect for the family’s wishes.

The runner was later identified as Ross Williams-Griffiths.

His family said he suffered a cardiac arrest during the race. Medical teams responded urgently, but he died despite their efforts.

Matt Newman, chief executive of Run 4 Wales, expressed condolences to Ross’s family and friends.

He said the loss of a runner at one of the organisation’s events was deeply felt by everyone involved.

Newman also praised the event and hospital medical teams for responding with extraordinary speed and professionalism.

Run 4 Wales confirmed that it was working with bereavement support charity 2wish to provide ongoing assistance to Ross’s loved ones.

A PROMISING CAREER AND A FUTURE FULL OF PLANS

Away from running, Ross had built a promising career with GE Aerospace.

His family said he was admired by his colleagues for his dedication, work ethic and the positive attitude he brought to his job.

He also loved travelling, camping and attending festivals with friends and family.

Ross was often the person trusted to organise trips and adventures, from booking accommodation to planning itineraries.

Those who loved him remembered someone who enjoyed bringing people together and making sure everyone had something to look forward to.

His death has left relatives grieving not only the person they have lost, but also the future experiences they had expected to share with him.

At just 24, Ross had so much ahead of him — a career he was building, relationships he treasured and countless plans for the years to come.

HIS FAMILY HOPES HIS STORY CAN SAVE LIVES

Despite their grief, Ross’s relatives have chosen to share his story in the hope that it will raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest.

They stressed that Ross had been active, fit and healthy, and that the exact cause of his death had yet to be established.

The family said they hoped that raising awareness in his memory might help another family avoid the devastating experience they are now enduring.

Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart unexpectedly stops pumping blood effectively. It is a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention, including CPR and defibrillation when appropriate.

The family has not claimed that a specific underlying condition caused Ross’s death. They are still waiting to learn the exact cause.

Their decision to speak publicly reflects a desire to turn an unimaginable loss into something that could help others.

“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,” the family said.

A COMMUNITY UNITED IN GRIEF

Following the announcement, tributes poured in from people who had known Ross through sport, work and family life.

The running community has also been left deeply affected by the loss of a young man who loved being active and participating alongside others.

The family said the support they had received had been overwhelming and expressed gratitude to everyone who had reached out.

Fundraising appeals have been established in Ross’s memory, including support for cardiac screening and the bereavement charity 2wish.

The charity provides support to families affected by the sudden and traumatic death of a child or young person.

For Ross’s loved ones, every message of support is a reminder of how many lives he touched during his short life.

REMEMBERING ROSS FOR THE LIFE HE LIVED

Ross Williams-Griffiths set out on October 4 to run a half marathon with his girlfriend and support a cause that mattered to them.

He was doing something he loved, surrounded by the sporting community he had become part of.

His death has left his family and friends struggling to understand how a day filled with purpose and determination could end so suddenly.

But those closest to him hope his story will be remembered for more than the tragedy.

They want people to remember his kindness, his enthusiasm for life, his love of sport and the warmth he brought to everyone he met.

Ross was only 24, but his family say he had already made a lasting difference to the people around him. Now, they hope that sharing his story will help raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest and ensure that his legacy continues to make a difference.

The exact cause of Ross’s death had not been established in the family’s tribute. Their appeal is to raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest, not to suggest a confirmed underlying diagnosis.