Runners are pledging to complete Matt Campbell’s last 3.7 London marathon miles, after the 29-year-old MasterChef star died in Sunday’s race.
A public Facebook group called Finish For Matt has been set up to unite marathon participants and members of the running community under the cause.
It comes after Campbell, a semi-finalist in MasterChef: The Professionals in 2017, collapsed and died 22.5 miles into the Virgin Money London Marathon.
Matt Dorber, who launched the page, called on Sunday’s marathon runners to take part in the “small gesture of solidarity…to ‘finish’ the run for Matt”.
Members of the group are also encouraged to donate a £5 entry fee to Campbell’s JustGiving page, which he set up to raise funds for youth charity Brathay Trust – who he was running for.
The page had raised more than £105,000 as of Tuesday afternoon – over 40 times Campbell’s original target of £2,500.
Around 3,000 people have joined the group since it was launched on Monday.
Dorber added: “It may be in London, Somerset, Manchester – wherever you are – but if as many people can do a 3.7m run on (runners’ social network) Strava on Saturday, and give a £5 ‘entry fee’ to Matt’s justgiving page, I think that’d be a nice gesture from us as a group.”
Those completing the run have been using the hashtag #FinishForMatt on social media, with a number of people setting up group runs in memory of the professional chef.
#FinishForMatt Running 3.7 miles in memory of Matt Campbell who sadly passed away yesterday competing in the London Marathon. Meet at Bramshall Park, Uttox on Saturday 28 April – 8:30am pic.twitter.com/23Fl7x4WW3
— Uttox Road Runners (@UttoxRoadRunner) April 23, 2018
On Sunday at 10am I shall be shuffling from uncle toms cabin 3.7 miles into Southend in aid of #finishformatt who passed away on Sunday before crossing the finish line. Please feel free to join me the more the merrier! https://t.co/7ITi74YM5R
— Emily Louise Golding (@20something_uk) April 24, 2018
I’ve gone straight out tonight and joined others completeing the 3.7 miles he sadly couldn’t #3Point7MilesForMatt #FinishForMatthttps://t.co/6J8uAW4pXfhttps://t.co/G50GGqrWv0 @mCampbellCHEF @LondonMarathon #LondonMarathon #LondonMarathon2018 @Brathay pic.twitter.com/aJi7zD3UAE
— John Atkins (@Joda82) April 23, 2018
Thanks so much to everyone for retweeting and spreading the word. This wasn’t my idea but I thought it was a fantastic tribute to Matt so wanted to share. The running community really is awesome! 💕 #finishformatt #runningcommunity
— Adele Clarke (@nestanddressed) April 23, 2018
Whatever the distance we cover tomorrow @jogscotland club, I am going to make it up to 3.7 miles – the distance Matt didn’t cover at the @LondonMarathon before he tragically died 😢https://t.co/WlkzvMM0R0 Join us if you can, run & donate to @Brathay #finishformatt #ukrunchat
— Mums Who Marathon (@Mumswhomarathon) April 23, 2018
Campbell, from the Lake District, was running to raise funds for the Brathay Trust in memory of his dad, Martin, who died almost two years ago. The charity works to improve the lives of young people throughout the UK.
MasterChef Judges Monica Galetti and Marcus Wareing, along with food critic Jay Rayner, paid tribute to the “great talent” soon after he passed away.
It’s scant comfort but some none the less that the justgiving page in memory of chef Matt Campbell has now raised over £100,000. https://t.co/ddtm7fcgky
— Jay Rayner (@jayrayner1) April 24, 2018
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.
— Marcus Wareing (@marcuswareing) April 23, 2018
Rest In Love @mCampbellCHEF I am honoured to have met such a great talent and see this star shine. pic.twitter.com/kAsHnZRjkb
— Monica GALETTI (@MGaletti01) April 23, 2018