A father of four children in Wisconsin, USA, recently collapsed less than 183 meters from the finish line while participating in a half marathon and unfortunately passed away after being rushed to the hospital.
According to WISN, 36-year-old John Meise participated in the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon half race at 7 a.m. on Sunday, October 4th. A witness saw him collapse shortly before 10 a.m. A fellow runner told WISN that he saw emergency personnel trying to save Meise less than 600 feet (about 183 meters) from the finish line. Meise was later carried off the road on a stretcher and taken to Froedtert Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.
TMJ4 reported that Meise had no known medical history, and the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s office is currently investigating the cause of his death.
Meise’s family mentioned that he had been a passionate runner for the past six years, but this was his first time participating in a half marathon. He is survived by his wife Lauren and their four young children, Mason, 11 years old, Owen, 8 years old, Lucy, 4 years old, and Isla, 1 year old.
Family and friends described Meise as a father who prioritized his family greatly. His wife expressed that he was “the best dad in the world” and always put his children first.
In an online fundraising effort, relatives and friends are seeking donations to help cover funeral expenses and future living costs for the family. Meise’s sister-in-law, Kristin Bennett, wrote on the GoFundMe page set up for his family that his passing has brought immense sorrow to everyone who knew him, especially his beloved family.
The Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon organizers expressed their condolences to Meise’s family and deeply mourned the tragedy. They noted that the event had established medical and emergency response procedures, including medical support on the course, communication protocols, and coordination with emergency and public safety agencies.
Ensuring participants’ safety has always been a top priority in event planning and operations. Meise’s death is reported to be the first fatality in the 44-year history of this event.
According to the Milwaukee Business Journal, the event attracted a record number of participants with approximately 8,000 registrations over the weekend, and around 6,000 people running on Sunday.
For those who do not regularly exercise, or have underlying conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes, it is advisable to consult a doctor before participating in long-distance running.
The American Heart Association (AHA) warns that extremely high-intensity endurance exercises like marathons may increase the risk of heart events for those without adequate training. Research indicates that some heart events occur during the final mile of marathons or half marathons, hence the recommendation to maintain a steady pace and gradually increase training volume. In cases of chest pain, discomfort, dizziness, or difficulty breathing, it is crucial to stop exercising and seek medical evaluation.
If a runner suddenly collapses, becomes unresponsive, stops breathing normally, or only gasps for breath, it could be indicative of sudden cardiac arrest. Bystanders should immediately dial 911, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and access an automated external defibrillator (AED) for emergency aid.