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Marathon runner, 22, dies after collapsing during race
Last updated at 13:52pm on 23.04.07A man aged 22 died today after collapsing just after he crossed the finishing line of the London Marathon.
His death, from a suspected heart attack, came as race officials admitted that water supplies at certain points of the course had run out amid record temperatures of 23.5C.
The man is the youngest competitor to die in the event's 27-year history. He has not been named by race officials.
More than 600 runners failed to complete the race and hundreds were treated for dehydration. But organisers insisted that the man's death was not "heat-related".
This was one of thousands who struggled in the heat - this is not the participant who died
A spokeswoman for the London Marathon said: "We offer our deepest condolences to his family and friends."
St Thomas' Hospital treated 40 runners and eight were kept in overnight. One is being treated in intensive care. The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel treated 26 runners.
Race organisers came under fire after runners reported that supplies of water had run out during the race.
A second runner, who had been in a critical condition in hospital last night, was better today and had been transferred to a normal ward.
Sweltering heat left thousands of contestants needing medical treatment.
Temperatures hit just below 21C at midday, almost equalling the 1996 record, and rose slightly higher later in the day.
Runners reported "nightmare" conditions as ambulance staff said they dealt with a higher than usual number of patients.
The heat becomes too much and this runner is carried away on a stretcher. This is not the entrant who died
London Ambulance Service said this year's event, which attracted a record 36,391 runners, was "busier" than usual, with participants and spectators affected by the heat.
Volunteers St John Ambulance treated 5,032 people and sent 73 to hospital.
A spokeswoman said some people were suffering heat-related problems such as dehydration as well as sprains and other injuries.
A London Marathon spokeswoman said 57 people were taken to hospital.
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, who was running his eighth marathon, said the conditions were "extraordinary".
He said: "It was like running in a desert today. I stopped to help one guy. It was quite bad. They were dropping like flies."
Another runner, Michelle Dewberry, who won the BBC television show The Apprentice, said she saw someone being resuscitated after about four miles.
She said: "I have seen lots of people passed out and being resuscitated. It is scary, scary stuff."
The start of the ordeal in the heat, which left one runner dead
Champion athlete Liz McColgan, who won the marathon in 1996, said some runners were in trouble.
She said: "I saw a lot of people walking with cramps and things. I think a lot were suffering."
England rugby World Cup team member Matt Dawson said he saw other runners pass out in front him. He said: "You could see people just burning up in front of you."
The reported lack of water on the course came despite race organiser David Bedford promising runners would “drown” in water after. On internet forums, one runner named Martin wrote: “There were four or five consecutive miles where the water had run out. Am I the only one who feels really let down by the organisers? We had to drink from bottles off the floor.”
Reader views (8)
Regarding Arnaud's comment, I believe the maths is wrong on the part of the BBC, my understanding as a competitor was that approx 28,000 bottles of water were at each water station from miles 3 to 25 plus sports drinks at regular intervals. The number of starters was as stated above 36,391, I think this not an unreasonable amount of water.
The tragic death although not officially confirmed at the time of writing was nothing to do with a lack of water, rather too much water.
- Dominic Shields, Cardiff
The lack of water should not come as a surprise. The day before, on the BBC, the organizers of the event explained that 100,000 bottles of water were going to be made available. They then went on claiming that 30 to 40 thousands runners were expected on the day. That is less than 3 bottles per runner, nowhere near enough water needed for a marathon on a hot day.
What were they thinking?
- Arnaud Gagneux, Kensington, London
I'd like to thank all those people reading this who entered the marathon and raised money for charity. I would also like to offer my condolences to the family and friends of the chap who died. I am very glad that the paucity of water did not contribute to his death - that would have been very serious for the organisers of this wonderful event.
The marathon ideally should start at 7am or 4pm. Either that, or bring it forward a couple of months.
- Rachel, UK
I was one of the people at the back of the race and the lack of water was disgraceful! Children were picking up disgarded wasted water bottles and refilling them for us. We were also told to keep hold of our empty bottles for refills along the way (I saw this once). But there seemed to be plenty of bottles to put into our goody bags at the end! I would have appreciated it more at mile 17! I was also very disappointed that the roads had to opened again so quickly. When people raise thousands of ponds for charity and run/walk for that distance, it would be nice if the tail-enders didn't have to dodge traffic and tourists! This was my first marathon and I would like to do more, but this was not a very good advertisement for the event. Apart from the organisation of this, I would like to thank all of the supporters and co-runners that made this day incredible for me, without the support of others, I would have struggled more! I managed to walk on an injury for the majority of the way and everyone was so encouraging which is wonderful to see. I hope the forthcoming Olympics brings Londoners together just as much as this event does every year.
- Katherine, Braintree, Essex
No-one forces them to do it.
- Judith Chisholm, London
I too had to pick up discarded bottles in desperation for water as water points had run out - I was worried for myself, but more worried for the many still to come after me!
- Kylie Nathan, London
I completed the 2006 Toronto Waterfront marathon in temperatures just under yesterday, their marathon starts at 6am for the slow ones and 7am for the quicker ones. Missing the main heat of the day must now be planned for as the temperatures in UK are starting a new pattern.
- Rod Bisset, Monks Gate, Sussex
The race should now be run in March.
- John Evans, London, UK
