Three die in Detroit Marathon
The marathon is a difficult event, but deaths during the event are rare. Three deaths in the space of a quarter hour at the Detroit Marathon, Sunday, Oct. 18, are bizarre. All three men received immediate medical attention. Twenty-six year old Jon Fenlon had just completed the half marathon. Sixty-five year old Rick Brown reportedly collapsed and hit his head between the 11 and 12 mile markers, near where thirty-six year old Daniel Langdon had collapsed 15 minutes earlier. Autopsies will determine the causes of death. All three were reportedly competing in the half marathon rather than the full marathon.
Heat is usually the cause of illness and death at distance races, but the temperatures in Detroit began around the freezing mark and were only at 41F with a light breeze at the time of the incidents. Slower runners and walkers are at risk of hyponatremia from drinking too much fluids, but all three men were on a good running pace for the half marathon or marathon.
Earlier this month, I attended the Race Directors College in Portland, Oregon and the panel on medical concerns noted that deaths during the marathon are very rare. The legend has it that the first marathoner, Phidippides, died after running from Marathon to Athens. But the legend usually omits the fact that this was just the last leg of an extreme ultramarathon that included over 300 miles before the fatal run.
As a certified marathon coach, I encourage walkers and runners to get a regular physical check-up before starting training, and those with underlying medical conditions should consult with their doctors specifically about the training requirements. I also encourage those finishing a marathon event to ensure they are not alone for the next several hours. At the Race Directors College I heard tales of people dying alone in their hotel rooms after the race.
Over the course of 25 years of hosting and attending walking events, we have lost walkers during the event. I have been at events where walkers had a heart attack or stroke and died at the start/finish or along the course. It is always tragic, but most often due to an underlying condition that would have produced the fatal event anyway.
Over 19,000 registered for the Detroit Marathon. The deaths are tragic. The autopsies may reveal clues as to whether they were preventable or a simple tragic coincidence.
Detroit Free Press: Autopsies Expected Today
Why is the Marathon So Tough?
I walked the half marathon in Detroit and it is one of the coolest half marathons to do. It is my second time doing it and my heart goes out to the families of those men who died. I have heard that cold can be stressful on the heart just as heat can. I hope that these tragedies will not keep people from exercising whether it be walking or running or any other sport. Everyone just needs to remember to train properly- not to over train or under train if you are training for a long race, get a good physical and ok from your doctor before doing any exercise program, and to eat and hydrate properly too.
Thanks, Barb. I wonder what people think of the common saying, “At least they died doing what they love to do.” Personally, I think about the best way to go is during a marathon at age 95, vs. the long painful course of cancer suffered by my grandmothers, both of whom died way too soon in the their 60’s. I’d like to think of still being active and enjoying life until the last minute.
But I had a friend who simply hated the “at least they died doing what they loved to do.”
But as a race director, I don’t want anybody needing 911 or an ambulance at my events!
Hi all. I was there, too, doing my second half-marathon, and I was shocked and saddened like everyone else. But a runner friend reminded me of something: As tragic as their deaths were, these three died doing something that they loved. Not a lot of us get to say that about someone they know or read about. The fact that they were among 19,000 people who also were doing something they loved — and were very spirited about it — actually gives me hope, especially for a state and city that’s known for its less-than-healthy reputation.
If anyone reading this has never done the Detroit Marathon, by all means look into next year’s; where else can you race in two countries, the U.S. and Canada? The view of the sunrise from Ambassador Bridge is priceless, and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel mile is the most surreal and serene mile you’ll ever walk.
By the way, Wendy, if not for you and your site, I never would have had the direction, guidance or encouragement that I needed to put one foot in front of the other and repeat for 3 1/2 hours. You’re an inspiration to us all, and I’ve recommended your site to so many people. Keep up the great work, and if you’re coming to Detroit for next year’s marathon, let me know and I’ll make sure you’re taken care of. Peace!
I started walking regularly around January and have since lost 49 Lbs. Recently I’ve been running about 60% of my normal 5-6 mile course. I was running my longest and felt really good and a thought came to me that this wouldn’t be a bad way to die. I mentioned it to a friend and he said it must be that runners high that was affecting my thinking. My father spent the last years of his life in a wheel chair and would never try any exercise to improve his quality of life. I don’t intend to make that mistake.