MasterChef Semi-Finalist Matt Campbell Dies After Collapsing During London Marathon

Matt Campbell, who recently appeared on the hit show MasterChef and made it to the semifinals, collapsed during the London Marathon and died on Sunday, April 23.

Campbell, 29, collapsed at the 22.5-mile marker, and was rushed to the hospital but later died there.

He appeared on BBC’s “MasterChef: The Professionals” in December 2017, reported the BBC.

“We are shocked and saddened to hear the news about Matt Campbell, one of our talented contestants from last year,” a MasterChef spokeswoman said.

“It was a privilege to have him on the show. He will always be remembered for producing some of the most innovative and groundbreaking food that we saw on the series.”

Campbell was running in the marathon to raise funds for his father’s memorial fund through The Brathay Trust. He had raised £51,701 ($72,021) for running in the marathon, and in the Greater Manchester Marathon on April 8.

2:56:50 New P.B. ? – Amazing day @manchestermarathon perfect conditions, great support. Thank you SO much to everyone who has sponsored me, my dad and @brathaychallenges ? – I felt like running sub 3 was over ambitious particularly with how much has been going on this year so far. I am loving life right now, saying yes to every challenge. Thank you to my friends and family for always supporting me and giving me the confidence to just go for it. ? – Running has been amazing for me over the past 2 years, considering I only ran my first marathon 20 months ago, it’s helped me through grief, helped me de-stress, helped me process information after a long day and helped me menu plan! To anybody considering even entering a 5K this year I say go for it. Life happens outdoors. ✌️ – Onto @londonmarathon in 2 weeks time! ? – #lifehappensoutdoors #marathon #manchestermarathon #raceday #manchestermarathon2018 #teamcameradude #chefswhorun #feedbelliesnotbins #mattsoire #marathonday #manchestermarathon #nutritionalgastronomy #running #runningchef #asicsgelnimbus #nikerunclub #sponsormeplease #brathay #brathaytrust #lakesistricttrained #?‍♂️

A post shared by Matt Campbell (@mattsoire) on Apr 8, 2018 at 9:10am PDT

Campbell was running the race for his father, who died 18 months ago.

Campbell said on his marathon page that he ran cross country in high school but didn’t become interested in marathon running until he accompanied Martin Campbell, his father, a videographer.

“Following the journey of the 10in10ers each day, I was instantly taken by the camaraderie and positivity of the amazing athletes. The following year, 2016, my dad entered me and my brother into the ASICS Windermere Marathon, our first marathon,” he wrote.

Campbell said his goal this time at the London Marathon was to complete it in under three hours.

He said he had adopted a mostly vegan diet that fueled development of his “Nutritional Gastronomy cuisine based on thought-provoking food with great flavors, an alternative to pasta and bland carbs which are the usual runner’s fuel.”

Campbell also said that he had received lots of publicity through his MasterChef appearance and was working on the UK-wide roadshow promoting the cuisine.

“MasterChef: The Professionals” judge Marcus Wareing posted a tribute on Twitter after the death was announced.

“It is with huge sadness that I received the news of Matt Campbell’s untimely death earlier today. He was a talented, innovative and driven chef with a bright future ahead of him. My thoughts are with his friends & family at this tragic time,” he said.

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