Detroit marathon turns tragic as three runners die during race

October 18, 4:30 PMDetroit Headlines ExaminerRebecca Kelley

Today’s marathon turned into tragedy as three men collapse and die during the race.
 

Detroit Police spokesman John Roach said a man in his late 20s or early 30s collapsed and died at approximately 9 a.m. on Michigan near First.
 

A few minutes later, a 65-year-old man collapsed and hit his head on the pavement on Michigan near Third and died.
 

A 26-year-old man died after collapsing around 9:20 a.m. on Fort near Second. 
 

Detroit Police are still confirming the identities of the people who died.  None of the runners had identification on them, outside of the numbers for the race, Roach said.

The three fatalities are the first since 1994 when 42-year-old Samuel Grafton of Troy known to be a veteran runner, dropped dead of a heart attack at the 22-mile mark.

Grafton’s death is the only other recorded death in the race’s history.

Nick Stanko, 28 of Haslett, Mich. and Sarah Plaxton, 41 of Highland, Mich. finished the cross line first in today’s 32nd annual Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Marathon.

This was Plaxton’s 52nd marathon. She said until she crossed the finish line she didn’t know she won.  She ran at Central Michigan while in college.

It was a much tighter battle to win the men’s marathon title.  Stanko, 28 was neck-and-neck with 2nd place finisher Chad Johnson for most of the race and including the finish.

Free Press editor and publisher Paul Anger released a statement concerning the deaths of the three runners.

“On a day when so many people bring such energy and challenge themselves to do their utmost, this news is very difficult to hear,” Anger said. “Our deepest sympathies are with the families.