Family man dies during marathon

A running club has paid tribute to a father-of-eight who collapsed and died during the London Marathon.

Raymond Challis, 59, of Ely, Cambs, died last Sunday while attempting to run the 26-mile course in the capital.

Chris Hayhow, a founder member of the Grange Farm Trotters - Mr Challis' running club - said he died doing something he loved.

"He lived to run. He ran in races all over the country and was out running every weekend. It was his passion."

Mr Challis and his wife Julie had eight children aged 10 to 22 and had completed more than 20 marathons and more than 100 half marathons.

Hoping to beat best time

"He became a member of the running club in 1997 and he had done the London Marathon every year since then," said Mr Hayhow.

"I remember him saying to me he had a drawer full of medals for races he had run."

Sunday's event was the eighth London Marathon Mr Challis had competed in and he was hoping to beat his personal best time of three hours 42 minutes.

Mr Challis, who drove a refuse truck for the local council, had travelled to London with members of his club.

He stopped collapsed after seven miles and was pronounced dead at Lewisham Hospital at 1210 BST.

Mr Hayhow said there had been no indication Mr Challis had suffered from any health problems and his death had come as a shock to his family and friends.