Top road runner dies 15miles into marathon

A COMMUNITY is in shock after a popular and talented Royton runner collapsed and died during a marathon.

Heartfelt tributes have been paid to father-of-two Ian Casey who was known in the town for his athletic prowess.

An endurance swimmer with the Royton Bluefins, and one of Royton Roadrunners’ top competitors, he collapsed at the 15-mile mark of the Gloucester marathon on Sunday and, despite receiving immediate medical attention, never recovered. It’s understood he suffered heart failure. He was just 45.

The tragedy comes four years after his wife Debra (43) died of cancer, leaving Mr Casey caring for son Jay (20) and daughter Claire (22).

A devastated Jay said: “My dad became everything to us, all my family in one. It’s just come as a complete shock. I just expect him to come back. You don’t expect this to happen.

“He was really witty and funny. When he came home from work he would tell his jokes and we would be cracking up. He lived for running and swimming.”

Last year, Jay trained regularly with his dad, a foreman at George Hills timber yard in Oldham, for a marathon in America.

Royton Roadrunners’ chairman Brian Lawton said: “It’s come as a real devastating blow to all members. He will be sadly missed.

“He was telling members of the club at the AGM on Thursday that he was really looking forward to the marathon and never felt better. He was dedicated and trained virtually every day and that makes it all the more shocking.

“Ian had been a member of the club for four years and was very active. He was a real lively character who competed in as many of the club’s races as he possibly could.

“He was a very capable runner who had completed a number of marathons. He was still running fantastic times and producing personal bests.

“He brought real life and character to the club and was a very popular member. You could not go training anywhere in Royton with him without people waving and beeping their horns. Everyone seemed to know him.”

The Latics fan had completed 15 of the 17 club championship races organised last season.

He also won the Royton Bluefins Ice Breakers trophy in January after braving freezing temperatures to compete in the traditional event at Redbrook Reservoir, Standedge.

George Meynell, of Royton Bluefins, said: “Ian was that good he did three marathons last year in under four hours. . He really was very fit.

“He was a very likable lad with many friends and was a true friend of mine. We will miss him at Bluefins. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends for their sad loss.”

Both groups are planning to pay their respects with the Bluefins to hold a minute’s silence and Roadrunners to wear black ribbons at their next race, with other tributes also to be arranged.