Arctic marathon run honours late Brentford FC coach

A man is set to run a marathon in the Arctic Circle to honour his close friend and Brentford FC colleague who died from bowel cancer.

Ollie Nash, 27, is taking on the Midnight Sun Marathon in Tromsø, Norway, on Saturday to raise money for Guy's Cancer Charity in memory of Chris Ramsey.

Ramsey, a former under-18s goalkeeping coach who became head of goalkeeper coaching at the Brentford FC academy, died in October 2025 following a four-and-a-half-year illness. He was diagnosed in October 2021 aged 35.

The pair, both Australians living in London, bonded over football and away trips.

Speaking to BBC Radio London ahead of the run, Nash said: "I just wanted to do something to remember him because... he was just such an amazing guy and did so much for me as another Australian living, living far away from home."

"Chris really helped me with the settlement period. It was nice to have someone know what it was like to be so far from home and he had a huge impact on me as a person as well."

Ramsey continued working while receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy at Guy's Cancer Centre in south London.

"He was always still out on the pitch training, helping the academy kids and giving everything to his job," Nash said.

The midnight marathon will take under the continuous daylight of the summer solstice.

In a twist, Nash discovered after choosing the race that Ramsey had run it years earlier.

"Chris actually ran this marathon early 20s," Nash said. "So, the fact that he did it before, which I never knew, and it's the week of his birthday is pretty crazy."

Ramsey's widow, Bianca, told Radio London said the fundraising efforts bring her "so much comfort" and that Nash's run is "such a beautiful thing is in [Chris'] memory".

She wants greater awareness of bowel cancer in younger people, noting Ramsey was fit and active.

Cancer Research UK figures show colorectal cancer rates have increased 22% in adults aged 25 to 49 since the early 1990s.

Sara Hulf, an oncology advanced nurse practitioner who treated Ramsey, advised anyone with unusual weight loss, fatigue, bowel habit changes, or abdominal discomfort to see a doctor.

"Chris was so positive and bright and smiley. It was such a privilege being able to look after him," she added.

The campaign has raised over £10,000 so far for the Guy's Cancer Charity.

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