A top marathon runner and husband of former Senate president Carol Ann Bassett has died.Roderick Bassett was 68.He was an athlete for more than 20 years until an injury sidelined his athletic career in 2008.Ms Bassett said her husband “loved being a member of Swan’s Running Club and served as treasurer for many years”.He was also club president for two years.Ms Bassett said her husband took part in the New York Marathon, Boston Marathon, Chicago Marathon and Marine Corps Marathon in Washington.She added: “His favourite overseas race was the Peachtree July 4 10K in Atlanta, which he ran at least 20 times.“Nothing got in the way of Roddy’s training regime. He trained rain, blow or shine. He was a dedicated and disciplined athlete.”Mr Bassett joined Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church in Southampton after he was injured.He signed up for the male voice choir, the men’s locker room fellowship, and Bible studies.Mr Bassett worked at the Island Cuisine restaurant in Southampton, where he spent “hours at the counter talking with other patrons about life”.Ms Bassett said: “Roddy has a wonderful relationship with God that transformed his life. He loved to evangelise and spread the Gospel, especially to other men.”She added her husband supported her desire to go back to school and “lived to see me finish my graduate studies in December 2019”.She said: “He loved his sons and grandchildren and worked hard to give them every opportunity to prepare for the future.“He set an excellent example of a godly man for everyone who loved him.”Ms Bassett said: “Finally, Roddy loved his family. He was very proud of me, his wife, and my time as president of the Senate.”She was appointed to the Senate in 2003 and presided over the Upper House from 2008 until her retirement in 2017, when she was succeeded by Joan Dillas-Wright.A memorial service to celebrate Mr Bassett’s life will be held at a later date.