Susan Tusa/Detroit Free Press

More than 19,000 participants ran in the Detroit Free Press marathon this morning. There were six medical stations throughout the course, when three men in separate incidents collapsed while running.

One man, who was in his 30s, collapsed at Michigan Avenue and 1st at about 9 a.m.  Another man,26,collapsed at the finish line at about 9:20 a.m.

He was transported to Detroit Receiving Hospital where he later died, said Detroit police spokesman John Roach.

The last of the three men, 65, fell and hit his head at Michigan and 3rd. He was also taken to Detroit Receiving, where he was pronounced dead.

“It’s not clear if he experienced any medical condition prior to falling,” Roach said.These fatalities are the first since 1994, when Samuel Grafton,42, from Troy dropped dead of a heart attack at the 22-mile mark. Grafton was a veteran runner that who had completed the San Francisco Marathon three months prior to his death. Grafton’s death was the only other recorded death in the race’s history.
The Detroit Free press reported that deaths in marathons are relatively rare, occurring in about one in roughly 67,000 participants or 1 in 100,000 participants, according to various studies. About half of all deaths happen in the last mile.
The cause of the other two men’s death was not determined. Running a marathon can be an enjoyable experience, but the health of the runner is a determining factor on whether or not you should participate in the event. Cardiac workups would often indicate if the runner has possible undiagnosed congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease or heart rhythm disturbances. Before running  in a marathon check with your health care provider.

Additional reading about today’s marathon:

www.freep.com/article/20091018/SPORTS23/91018016/1001/rss01