Tulsa Runner Collapses, Dies In Route 66 Marathon

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Officials with the Williams Route 66 Marathon confirmed that a 27-year-old Tulsa man died Sunday while participating in the half-marathon.

The runner collapsed and died just a few miles from the finish line. He was treated immediately, but died on the scene.

"It is tough, but what's going to get me through it is thinking about the tens of thousands of people we made better," said Route 66 Marathon Director Chris Lieberman.

The runners name has not been released pending notification of family.

This is the second death in the marathon's history. A 21-year-old Claremore man collapsed and died just feet from a medical tent in 2008.

11/16/2008 Related Story: Runner Collapses And Dies During Marathon

Organizers pledge to review the race's safety procedures.

They say while this latest tragedy will bring the running community even closer together, it's become an all too common occurrence.

"There is a grieving process and I'm going through it too. But overall it's a good thing we do," Lieberman said.

Temperatures in the 70s created less than ideal conditions for a marathon. But organizers say they consulted with experts, and determined that it was not too hot to race.

More than 9,000 runners participated in the Williams Route 66 Marathon.