A 27-year-old man tragically died of “heart-related issues” while running a half marathon in Minneapolis on Sunday.
The runner, identified by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office as Blake Groulx, collapsed during the final stage of the City of Lakes Half Marathon and later died.
During the 11th mile of the race, Groulx lost his footing and struck his head on a curb along Bde Maka Ska Parkway. According to the Minnesota Star Tribune,
According to local police, fellow racers and, later, first responders performed CPR to revive Groulx at the shocking scene. He was rushed to Abbott Northwestern Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
However, authorities have not given any cause for death. According to Groulx's obituaryHe died due to heart problems in the final stages of this fateful race.
A witness told the Star Tribune that she saw Blake staggering before he fell. When he finally fell and hit the pavement, she immediately rushed to his assistant and attempted to give him CPR. She wasn't alone.
Another fellow runner — who happened to be an emergency room doctor — also tried to save Blake, the Star Tribune reports.
“We were trying to give him the best chance of survival. He looked like a healthy person, not someone you would think this could happen to him,” Dr. Katherine Katzung told the outlet.
His obituary described Blake as someone who pursued an active lifestyle that included hiking, tennis, running and pickleball.
Race organisers said they were “deeply saddened” by Groulx's death.
“On a day that should have been celebrated, a family lost their loved one. Our condolences are with the runner's family and everyone close to him,” Run Minnesota wrote on Facebook,
“Run Minnesota and the City of Lakes Half would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the participants who came to the aid of a fellow runner, as well as to the first responders and medical professionals who provided medical care,” he said.
“We also offer our condolences to the running community as we all mourn this loss together.”
Groulx was a native of Midland, Michigan, who moved to Minneapolis in 2020 to start a new career at General Mills.
He is survived by his mother, father, three siblings, and “the love of his life”.
The tragic incident happened just a week before Blake and her partner James celebrated their second wedding anniversary.
Groulx's family is asking that any donations made in his honor be given to the nonprofit “The Bridge for Youth” or the American Heart Association.
He is also encouraging others to get heart health checkups done.
His death occurred soon after an incident. A half-marathon runner died after a race in Anaheim, California.
TikToker Bobby Graves — who was known on social media as Caleb Graves — died on Sunday after completing Disneyland's Halloween Half Marathon.
According to local police, Graves, 35, was seen clutching his chest as he crossed the finish line and later died of a heart attack.
He had no known medical conditions at the time of his death, although temperatures in Anaheim reached 107 degrees.
