David Colley: Runner who collapsed and died in last mile of Great North Run named

This is the first photograph of a ‘regular runner’ who died as he neared the finish line of the Great North Run.

David Colley, 58, from Hull collapsed during the annual 13.1 mile run on Sunday afternoon, less than a mile from the finish line in South Shields.

Race organisers said Mr Colley, who had competed in numerous Great North Runs in the last 10 years, was attended to immediately by emergency services.

But Mr Colley could not be saved and a post-mortem examination concluded he died of natural causes.

In a statement, his family said: “David was a regular runner who loved taking part in the Great North Run and always looked forward to the event.

“We are absolutely devastated."

Organisers of the race, which starts in Newcastle-upon-Tyne before passing through Gateshead and finishing in South Shields, offered their condolences to Mr Colley’s family after the news of his death.

A spokesman said: “The Great Run Company deeply regrets the loss of life of a participant at the Great North Run today and offer our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of the individual.”

The Great North Run had 57,000 participants this year, with Mo Farah crossing the half marathon finishing line first in a time of 59 minutes and 22 seconds.

Other wins from British athletes included David Weir winning the men’s wheelchair race and Shelly Woods coming in first place for the women’s wheelchair race.

Last year, the annual run became the first mass participation run in the world to have its one millionth competitor cross the finish line.