Runner Collapses and Dies at Marine Corps Marathon
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An unidentified man collapsed more than halfway through the Marine Corps Marathon and died Sunday, and another runner had a heart attack near the starting line.
The race featured 32,118 runners and was won by Ruben Garcia, a corporal in the Mexican Navy, and Laura Thompson, of Boise, Idaho.
The man who died collapsed before reaching the 17-mile mark near the 14th Street Bridge and was airlifted by helicopter to Washington Hospital Center, race spokesman Beth Cline said.
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It appears he had a heart attack, District of Columbia Police spokesman Sgt. Joe Gentile said. Race director Rick Nealis said officials were trying to locate the next of kin.
Nealis said another runner had a heart attack about 80 yards from the starting line. He was revived and thought to be in stable condition in a hospital, he added.
Garcia won for the second straight year, finishing in 2 hours, 21 minutes, 17 seconds and more than three minutes ahead of his nearest rival. He lives and trains in Mexico City but lists Washington as his hometown for "The People's Marathon."
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Garcia took the lead from Kenya's Jared Nyamboki during the 22nd mile and coasted to victory. Carl Rundell, of Birmingham, Mich., finished second, covering the 26.2 miles in 2:24:22. Jose Miranda, of Washington, was third in 2:26:21.
The 35-year-old Garcia is the second back-to-back winner among the men, following Jim Haage, of Lanham, Md., in 1998 and 1999.
Thompson was timed in 3:00:10. Brenda Schrank was the women's runner-up in 3:02:28 and Suzanne Himes was third.