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'Fit' Briton aged 26 dies on Bondi run
Ellen Widdup, Evening Standard11 Aug 2008
A 26-year-old British man has died of a heart attack while competing in a fun run in Australia.
Lee Marriage, from Witley, near Godalming, Surrey, had moved to Sydney to start a new life with his girlfriend.
He collapsed 200 metres from the finish line at Bondi Beach of the annual 14km City2Surf run. Paramedics were unable to revive him.
Today his friends and family paid tribute to the IT worker they described as having been fit, healthy and full of life.
His sister, Louise Marriage, wrote on his Facebook page: "My little brother, I love you so so much and can't believe they have taken you from us. Such a wonderful special person, so kind and caring and loved by so many. My only grace is to know how happy you were. You met your soulmate, the love of your life in Michelle and you were beaming with love and happiness when you were here last."
Shaun Lydon, a friend, wrote: "You will always be a brother to me, you lived your dream life in Oz with the person you loved and it got taken away."
Mr Marriage collapsed at 11am yesterday. One female runner said competitors watched in horror as paramedics tried to revive him using a defibrillator.
"I saw him lying on the ground. There were several people treating him. Someone was yelling to runners to keep moving,'' she said. "He seemed fit, he wasn't rippling with muscles but he had a slim build.''
Elon Aizenstros, director of Unique Worldwhere Mr Marriage worked, said he had been head-hunted several years ago. He added: "He was a great guy. One of those rare individuals who was both incredibly capable and had a really great, vivacious spirit. Everyone here has taken it very hard."
An autopsy will be carried out in the next few days.
Reader views (3)
Lee was the best brother you could get, so happy, full to live it has really hurt all our family especially our mum to have lost lee an my eldest sister louise lee was the most amazing person in the world an i would like to thank evry one on behalf of my family to to those who have left trbutes an heart acheing comments on lees facebook its realy hard reading them but it has certenly helped me an my mum an family so thanx to everyone his friends an even people who dident no lee that well wich your so unlucky really thanx agin to everyone to help me an my family through this really hard tiem in are lifes i cant explain how great lee was but im sure most of u no what he was like add me on facebook if your good frinds of lees plz idd like to know everyone who made lees life so great an happy thanx agin craig walton an the rest of lees family
love you an really miss so much jus cant get it out of my head why u deseved this love you bruv xxx
- Craig Walton, witley surrey gu8 5qx, 12/08/2008 23:29
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It always seems so especially sad to me when young people, just starting out in life, are suddenly removed from our midst. I look back on myself at age 26, and how much I had to yet to give and learn. I didn't know Lee, but I would have enjoyed knowing him I'm sure. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
- Hako, Portland, Oregon, USA, 12/08/2008 02:40
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I can't even begin to tell you how much Lee was loved and well thought of. He was like a brother to me and my brother and like a son to our parents. I can't believe he has been taken from us, it's so cruel.
I will love and think of him forever and ever.
- Joanna Lydon, Godalming, Surrey, 11/08/2008 14:57
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