NEW YORK, May 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — One runner of Brooklyn Half Marathon in New York City died after passing the finish line while 15 others were hospitalized amid unseasonably hot weather, according to local media reports.
The 32-year-old male runner collapsed on the pavement after crossing the finish line and was pronounced dead at a local hospital on Saturday morning, according to the Fire Department of New York City (FDNY).
Fifteen other marathon runners were hospitalized, the New York Fire Department told local media. According to FDNY, four of the people hospitalized were in serious condition while others had minor injuries.
The New York Police Department said that David Reichman died after race officials announced that a man collapsed around 9 a.m. shortly after crossing the finish line. He was later pronounced dead at the Coney Island Hospital. The cause of death remains unknown pending a medical examination.
Race organizer New York Road Runners said that it wasn’t clear if heat played a role in the man’s death. NYRR warned participants ahead of time to be cognizant of heat concerns.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of a participant following the 2022 RBC Brooklyn Half,” a NYRR statement reads.
Temperatures reached the high 80s in New York on Saturday as the city saw its first May heat advisory in 16 years. Temperatures were in the low 60s when the half marathon started at 7 a.m. and had reached the low 70s by 11 a.m., when the death was reported. The relative humidity reached 97% in New York during the race, according to the National Weather Service.
NYRR said in a statement that safety was a top concern for race organizers and that the man who died received immediate on-site medical attention upon collapsing.
Saturday’s death was the first at the race since a 31-year-old runner died after crossing the finish line in 2014.
Racers need to run 13.1 miles (around 21,082 meters) to finish the half marathon and the organizer estimated that over 20,000 people joined the race.
Portions of northeast New Jersey, southern Connecticut and southeast New York are baked in high temperatures and high humidity on the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
“Today might feel even hotter than yesterday, NYC! Limit your time outside, drink plenty of water and check on your neighbors,” said the NYC Mayor’s Office via social media on Sunday.
The highest temperature in New York City topped 30 Celsius degrees on both Saturday and Sunday and is expected to cool down on Sunday evening. — NNN-AGENCIES
