RM worker dies after racing best friend to finish line

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Royal Mail worker dies after racing best friend to finish line at London Marathon warm-up

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A father-of-two collapsed and died after racing his best friend to the finish line at a London marathon warm-up.

Colin Higbee, 45, collapsed on Sunday morning after completing the 16-mile Kingston Breakfast Run course in two hours and 17 minutes.

His final moments were caught on video as he and best friend Raymond Payne crossed the line.

As Mr Payne waved at the camera, Mr Higbee put his hands on his knees and suddenly collapsed to the floor.

Paramedics at the scene treated him for cardiac arrest but were unable to save him. He was pronounced dead at hospital.

The Royal Mail worker based at Heathrow was running the race as a warm-up for taking part in the London marathon in less than three weeks.

Mr Payne told the Kingston Guardian: “We got 100 yards to the finish line. We gave it everything to beat each other like we do. He beat me by one second.

“I put my arms around him and said well done. We were taking photos and he was trying to get his breath back.

“I saw him go to his knees and it was like slow motion. I was shocked. You think it is a dream.

He added: “He loved what he done – he loved running. Everybody is in tears. He was a great bloke. He was a bloke you could talk to for five minutes and you’d be friends.

“He was a decent family man. He was my best friend. He was best man at my wedding.”

Mr Higbee’s wife of 22 years, Constantina, told the Kingston Guardian: “It is so hard. He ran the breakfast run twice a year. Even if he had an ache he would not go to the doctors.

“He was a very loving husband and was positive about everything. I loved him very much.”

His daughter Emma, 21, said her father had visited her in France where she is studying the week before and she had wished him luck for Sunday’s event.

“He had so much energy – he just did not want to sit down. He was active, outgoing and would help anyone. I just want him to come back. I was very close to him. I was a daddy’s girl,” she said.

His son James, 18, has also returned from Sussex University to the family home in Worcester Park, near Wimbledon in south-west London.

Nick Rusling, chief executive of Human Race, which organised the race, commented: “Myself and everyone associated with the event are greatly saddened by the news and our thoughts are with his family.”

Mr Higbee’s death comes after 48-year-old Brian Hicks died while competing in the Fleet Half Marathon in Hampshire on March 16

[maisymoo04]

Terrible

[bustedflush]

RIP - this shouldn't happen to people who make these efforts to help others. Condolences to his family and friends.