'It's awful': Marathon runner dies after mid-race collapse
One man has died and more than a dozen were taken to hospital after taking part in the Booklyn Half-Marathon in New York this weekend.
According to statements from the New York Fire Department, a 30-year-old man suffered a cardiac arrest at roughly 9am local time on Saturday while taking part in the event.
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A total of 16 others were reportedly taken to hospital, five of those with serious injuries after the half-marathon was held in excptionally hot and humid conditions.
The half-marathon, organised by the New York Road Runners club, was being held for the first time in three years as the city continues to bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic.
More than 22,000 people took part in the event, in already balmy conditions at 21 degrees and up to 83 per cent humidity when the race started at 7am.
Modrate air pollution warnings had also been issued for parts of Brooklyn.
A spokeswoman for the NYRR said in a statement that the organisation had been left deeply shocked by. what had happened.
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of a participant following the 2022 RBC Brooklyn Half," the statement said.
"Our thoughts and sympathies are with the runner's family and those close to them,"
Tragedy as man dies during Brooklyn half-marathon
One runner who spoke to the New York Post described the conditions as a 'recipe for disaster', while another said it was an absolute tragedy that someone had lost their life as a result.
“You have to be aware of your own body’s limits. Sometimes you wanna go for it and push yourself,” he said.
“And it’s awful, sometimes you push yourself too far and this kind of thing happens.”
The New York Road Runners club said after the event that medical staff had been placed throughout the course, while conditions were being monitored throughout the race.
“The health and safety of our runners, volunteers, partners, and staff remain the top priority for NYRR," a statement read.
"In co-ordination and consultation with the city agency partners and weather experts, NYRR was closely monitoring weather conditions leading up to and during the race."
The 30-year-old man became the second person to die in the event, with another casualty back in 2014.
The NYRR said the man first recieved medical attention at roughly 10am local time after collapsing.
Several celebrities had been expected to take part in the race, including well known Today show weatherman Al Roker.
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