Three runners die in Free Press/Flagstar half-marathon

Officials warn participants not to run in longer races without proper training

Darren A. Nichols and Maureen Feighan / The Detroit News

Detroit -- As far as Daniel Langdon's family knew, he was ready for a half-marathon.

An avid outdoorsman and hunter, the 36-year-old father of three had been running for a while when he joined 19,300 other runners Sunday for the 32nd Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Marathon.

But things took a horrible turn between the 11-mile and 12-mile mark when Langdon, a builder who was running the half-marathon, suddenly collapsed around 9:02 a.m. near a fluid station. He later died.

"As far we knew, he was in excellent health," said Richard Poling, Langdon's stepfather-in-law who said his family is in complete shock.

Langdon of Laingsburg, Mich., was one of three runners who died Sunday from apparent cardiac problems, casting a tragic note over what's usually a triumphant day for thousands in Detroit.

Rick Brown, 65, of Marietta, Ohio, also was between the 11th mile and 12th mile near Michigan Avenue and Third when he collapsed around 9:17 a.m., hit his head on the pavement and later died. A minute later, Jon Fenlon, 26, of Waterford had just crossed the finish line when he collapsed and later died.

The deaths mark the first fatalities at the Detroit Free Press Marathon since one runner died in 1994.

"On a day when so many people bring such energy and challenge themselves to do their utmost, this news is very difficult to hear," said Free Press editor and publisher Paul Anger, according to the Associated Press. "Our deepest sympathies are with the families."

All three men were running the 13.1-mile half-marathon and had signed medical release forms, a standard procedure for most races. Marathon spokesman Rich Harshbarger said there are no plans to make changes to the form, but organizers will talk with medical professionals for advice.

It was unclear late Sunday whether autopsies would be performed on the men.

Ed Kozloff, a former Free Press Marathon race director, said Sunday's tragedy should be used as a guide for participants not to run a longer race if you're not ready. Sunday's race has many first-timers in the longer races, but also had a 5K, which is 3.1 miles.

"This can serve as a wake-up call to monitor your own health and not overstep the level you're at," said Kozloff, president of the Motor City Striders running club. "Any death is a deep tragedy, and runners should make sure they are constantly monitoring their health condition so tragedies like this don't happen."

About 19,300 novice and serious runners took to Detroit's streets to race in temperatures that hovered around 30 degrees. For some participants, the marathon -- which takes runners across the Ambassador Bridge and through the Detroit-Windsor tunnel -- is an annual affair. For others, it was the first time they attempted to run the 26.2-mile course. Racers also participated in relays, half-marathons and a 5K run/walk.

Most of the runners were like Pat Dieghan, 43, of Birmingham, who trained for months in preparation for Sunday's race.

"When you train for about three months, it gives you something to look forward to," said Dieghan, who hadn't run a marathon in eight years. "It keeps you on your (toes). It keeps you healthy (and) off the booze. It feels good to finish. I was a little over my goal, but it was good. I'm really sore."

Temperatures were so cool Sunday that Nick Reek couldn't feel his legs and feet for the first few miles. But it didn't matter: He accomplished his goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon.

"I was tired in the end, (but) it definitely helped having ... them cheering you on," said Reek, 29, a Rochester Hills native who now lives in Durham, N.C. This was his fifth marathon, but first in Detroit.

But that excitement soured for many as word spread that three runners had died during the race.

Colleen Hood, 42, of Ann Arbor was running with a group around the 12th mile when she heard a thud from a man who hit the ground. Hood said she and several other runners called for the man to receive medical attention and saw someone with a yellow vest calling for help.

"The way he went down, he had to have had a heart attack," Hood said. "The sound when he hit the ground was horrible. His head was bleeding and he was not moving. To see it is horrible, and everybody around knew. You don't know how that happens.

"The guy looked like he was in great shape. He was lean. ... I wouldn't question his abilities at all."

Others posted notes on the social networking site Facebook about being freaked out and expressing their sadness of the day's tragedy.

Dr. Jenny Atas, the marathon's medical director who led a team of 60 medical volunteers from the Detroit Medical Center during the race, couldn't comment on the three men who died but said it's possible for someone, even a runner in great shape, to have an "inherent" heart problem.

Atas, an emergency room doctor at Detroit Receiving, said hypothermia also might have been an issue.

Five doctors were stationed at the race's finish line along with five certified athletic trainers, Atas said. Defibrillators were used on all three men.

"We did everything we could," Atas said. "My team did a phenomenal job."

Studies have shown 1 in every 50,000 to 88,000 marathon finishers die during or after a race, according to Runner's World, a leading industry magazine.

And while deaths are rare during marathons, they aren't unheard of:

• A 23-year-old man died during the Baltimore Marathon last week. The runner collapsed during the 25th mile of last Saturday's race. It was the first death since 2001.

• Two runners died during the Rock 'n' Roll Half marathon in San Jose earlier this month. Both collapsed near the end of the 13.1-mile race. It was the first deaths since the half-marathon was started four years ago.

• In 2008, two runners died during the New York City Marathon after crossing the finish line. One man died the year before.

• During the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, several people were taken to the hospital for heat exhaustion and 35-year-old Chad Schieber of Midland died after the race in 2007. Temperatures were in the upper 80s.

Hood said she didn't read the medical waiver required for the race.

"I don't even read it. You're doing it at your own risk," Hood said. "I know people die in these; I know people get hurt. But I would think you're doing it confidently ... that you're in decent shape."

Langdon's family, meanwhile, is left wondering what happened. His wife, Rebecca, was at the race cheering him on. He leaves behind three kids -- 9, 8 and 6.

"We're all going to miss him a lot," Poling said.

dnichols@detnews.com (313) 222-2359