A 27-year-old man tragically died of “cardiac issues” while running a half-marathon in Minneapolis on Sunday.
The runner, identified as Blake Groulx by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office, collapsed during the home stretch of the City of Lakes Half Marathon and later died.
Groulx lost his footing and hit his head on a curb along the Bde Maka Ska Parkway during the eleventh mile of the race, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune
According to local police, fellow racers and, later, first responders administered CPR attempting to revive Groulx at the shocking scene. He was transported to Abbott Northwestern Hospital, where he was later declared dead.
No cause of death has been announced by officials, though, according to Groulx’s obituary, he died of cardiac issues in the homestretch of the fateful race.
A witness told the Star Tribune that she saw Blake stumbling before falling. When he finally collapsed and hit the curb, she immediately ran to his aide and attempted to administer CPR. She wasn’t alone.
Another fellow runner — who happened to be an emergency room doctor — also tried to save Blake, the Star Tribune reported.
“We were trying to give him the best chance of survival. He looked like a fit person, not someone you would think this would happen to,” Dr. Katherine Katzung told the outlet.
In his obituary, Blake was described as someone who led an active lifestyle that included hiking, tennis, running and pickleball.
Race organizers said they were “deeply saddened” by Groulx’s death.