2 runners die during Philly Marathon

(CBS News) 

PHILADELPHIA - Two runners have died while running the Philadelphia Marathon today.

Race organizers confirmed one runner, a 21-year-old Asian male, collapsed at the finish line. Another runner, a 40-year-old white male, collapsed a quarter-mile from the finish line.

CBS Station KYW reports that both runners were taken to Hahnemann University Hospital where they were pronounced dead of apparent heart attacks.

Philadelphia Marathon Race Weekend Executive Director Melanie Johnson said, "We are deeply saddened and our thoughts are with their families and friends."

Their identities have not been released, pending notification of relatives.

Fire officials said at least 10 others were rushed to the hospital by ambulance, and the extent of their injuries and current status is unknown.

At least 25,000 participants, along with 60,000 spectators turned out for the 18th annual race.

[putssjiii]

there are everyday tasks in life that sad to say ends in loss of life to some people. Things most of us do every day. Should we give up on that? I don't think we will. I feel for the famlies of the runners but for myself, i'll keep running until i am ready to quit. But even when that day gets here, below are other items that could bring me to a stop as well. Live how you enjoy without imposing your will on others.

Top 10 Causes of Death - US
Diseases of Heart 28.5%
Malignant Neoplasms (cancer) 22.8%
Cerebrovascular Diseases (stroke) 6.7%
Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases 5.1%
Accidents 4.4%
Motor Vehicle Traffic Accidents (41% of all accidents)
Poisoning (16% of all accidents)
Fall (15% of all accidents)
Diabetes Mellitus 3.0%
Influenza and Pneumonia 2.7%
Alzheimer's Disease 2.4%
Nephritis, Nephrotic Syndrome and Nephrosis (kidney diseases) 1.7%
Septicemia (blood poisoning) 1.4%
All Others 21.4%

numbers from 2002 and may have changed some.

[wslinderman]

I disagree with the assumption that the marathon causes a heart attack. Heart disease can strike runners as well as non-runners, even though it is a much lower percentage.

If the guy who had a heart attack during the marathon had not run that day, would he live forever and never have a heart attack, or would he just have it happen on another day at another time?

Also, how many people who didn't run ended up suffering heart attacks the same day, but did not make the news?

[ladyang]

i guess why fat folks down south don't run marathons!!

[kbbpll]

Jim Fixx, author of The Complete Book of Running (1977), credited with helping start the "fitness craze", died the same way in 1984. When your time's up, it's up.

[RichZubaty]

These people should have spent their time training for Occupy Wall Street, then they could at least have died for something. Even the first marathon runner died delivering a message about an impending invasion. This is what happens when entertainment and sport replace reality on the public stage. What a shame.

[askagain]

RichZubaty - Not everyone gives a "hoot" about the occupiers. Why should marathon runners not do what they like most? You may favor or support the occupiers but there are plenty of people who either don't agree with the movement or feel they have better things to do with their time. Lets not be intolerant.

[RMI081]

The 1% of Americans that run marathons don't blame others for there problems. We create goals and plans to accomplish them. We are driven to succeed, and for the most part we do. When we don't we figure out where we went wrong and try it again until we do. The reason the people arn't camping in a park somewhere is that they are too busy going out and accomplishing their goals in life. We are the 1%. People wasting their precious little time on this earth smoking pot in a park for a cause with little or no direction seems like a shame to me.

[lilbear925]

Remember, the original Marathon runner died immediately upon delivering his message. I still think it's important to survive the run, however, isn't it?

[mikamage]

This is why we need legislation banning bipedal movement, it has caused nothing but trouble for several hundred thousand years now, back into the trees I say...

[jade84116]

It'd probably kill this smoker too.

[showandprovekev]

I love running and run about an average of 9 miles a day about 5 days a week = 45 miles a week. I have finished many half marathons and the most i ever ran at one time is 15 miles..

But i dont think ill ever go for a marathon, like the previous poster said, 26 miles is just more than then average person needs or should try to do.. Half marathons are enough for most people.

[jscott418]

I agree, I think it really max's out a person in really good health. Being a runner myself I think too many go beyond their reasonable limit and probably do not seek out a Doctor's checkup before attempting such a run. I think that should be a requirement.

[train99]

Gee, I run so I won't get heart attacks. It's scary to think about this.

[dprice123-2009]

Do nothing but sit and see how fast your heart attack comes.

[wslinderman]

You are much better off running that not running. If you are trying to improve your heart health, you should note that runners have much less heart disease risk than non-runners (or rather non-active people in general).