called “beloved son” who died in the Great Bristol Run

A man who died while taking part in the Great Bristol Run has been remembered as an ‘incredible brother’ and ‘beloved son’.

Mike Harper, 26, who lived in London, died on May 19 after collapsing during the race due to sudden cardiac arrest.

In a statement, his family said his loss had been “unimaginably difficult” to come to terms with.

A fundraiser has started to raise money for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).

His family said: “Mike is a beloved son, an incredible brother, a loving partner and a lifelong friend.

“He is loved by so many and has left his mark across the country.”

Mr Harper grew up in Lincoln and went to Sheffield Hallam University.

He moved to Bristol to work for Laing O’Rourke as a Quantity Surveyor based at Hinckley Point C in Bridgwater, Somerset.

The 26-year-old recently “fulfilled his London dream” by moving to the firm to work on the Olympia redevelopment.

His family said: “We are devastated to say that we have lost Mike to sudden cardiac arrest while running the Bristol Half Marathon, a city he once called home.

“He had no known health problems or family history of young sudden cardiac death.

“He was otherwise healthy and always prioritized fitness.

“This loss has been so hard to imagine and CRY is providing such important support.”

The family launched the fundraiser for CRY and said “help us raise money to help with heart screening and raise awareness of the potential risk of cardiac arrest in young people”.

They said losing Mr. Harper in this way was “cruel and shocking.”

His family said: “In his later years he spent his time travelling, running, playing football or partying with friends, as well as exploring all the city had to offer with his amazing partner Ailsa.”

His family added that they want to support CRY because of the projection it provides.

CRY chief executive Dr Steven Cox said: “As CRY receives no government funding, our UK-wide screening program is only possible because of the support CRY receives from families – such as the Harpers and their close friends, who have chosen to establish a memorial fund with CRY in Mike’s memory – which helps us provide this free service to the public.”

According to CRY, every week 12 apparently fit and healthy young people in the UK die suddenly from a previously undiagnosed heart condition.

“In 80% of these cases, there will be no signs or symptoms of a heart defect until it is too late, which is why CRY believes screening is so important – especially for those involved in regular physical activity.

“CRY now screens around 27,000 young people each year, aged between 14 and 35 – and the charity wants every young person to have the opportunity to have their heart tested,” said Dr Cox.