Running for Sam: Family and Friends Keep Triathlete’s Legacy Alive

Born in Gibraltar alongside his older sister Holly, Sam spent his childhood moving with his family as his father, Paul, served in the Royal Navy. After living in Portsmouth and Naples, the family eventually moved to Abu Dhabi when Sam was 10 years old.

It was there that Sam discovered his passion for triathlon.

A keen triathlete himself, Paul introduced Sam to the sport, taking him out on training rides from a young age. At 14, one of those rides led to a chance encounter with triathlon coach Mark Buckingham and Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee. The meeting left a lasting impression on Sam. From that day, he set his sights on studying at Leeds Beckett University and joining its renowned triathlon programme.

His talent and dedication soon began to shine through. At 16, Sam was awarded a triathlon scholarship at Thanyapura in Phuket, Thailand, where he spent two years training under Ironman World Champion Chris McCormack while continuing his studies.

Sam later achieved his goal of securing a place at Leeds Beckett University and quickly fell in love with both the city and its sporting community. He represented Gibraltar in triathlon at the Island Games before the COVID-19 pandemic prompted him to focus solely on cycling. In 2022, both Sam and Holly represented Gibraltar at the Commonwealth Games, with Sam competing in cycling and Holly in weightlifting.

After graduating, Sam chose to remain in Leeds, proudly referring to himself as an "honorary Yorkshireman".

He shared a home with his girlfriend, professional triathlete Lucy Byram, and was a constant source of support as she travelled the world competing. When back in Leeds, Sam worked in a bike shop, at a local bar in Meanwood and coached run and swim sessions for the Brownlee Squad. He also took up bike mechanics so ended up being the Brownlee Squad’s bike mechanic, while he also worked at international events for Nirvana, supporting athletes across the globe.

As Sam's mum, Angela, says: "Sam was just a nice person. He was always happy to support Lucy and work in the background without any fuss."

Tragically, Sam's life was cut short while on a training camp in France with Lucy and their friend James Scott-Farrington. He was struck by a motorbike that was travelling on the wrong side of the road. Despite being airlifted to hospital, his injuries were too severe. His family were able to reach him and say goodbye, but the loss was devastating.

The impact Sam had on those around him became clear at his funeral in Leeds, where friends travelled from across the world to celebrate his life, including athletes and figures from the Olympic community.

While the pain of losing Sam remains unimaginable, his family continue to find comfort in the friendships and community he built throughout his life.

Angela said: "It was amazing to see Sam's picture displayed on the podium for both the men's and women's races. We were also incredibly proud of family members who took part despite never having run before and only starting training specifically for the Everton 10K."

The Leeds Abbey Dash also holds a special place in the family's hearts. As Sam's adopted home city, Leeds remains closely connected to many of the friendships and memories he created throughout his life.