Teenage Girl Dies After Running Half Marathon

An athletic 16-year-old girl, Cameron Gallagher of Virginia, set a goal for herself, run a half marathon. Already an avid swimmer, she set sights on the 13.1 miles race with her school friend. The training would follow for 9 weeks leading up to the race.

The big day came with other friends and family gathered to cheer the pair of runners across the finish line of the Shamrock Half Marathon. Cameron finished the half marathon in 2 hours 19 minutes. She hugged her running friend. As quickly as they celebrated finishing, she collapsed. Just like that. There were attempts to revive, but they came up short as she passed away at a nearby hospital. The cause of death hasn't been announced. But, family members believe it is due to heart failure.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch quoted Cameron's dad:

Grace and I are so appreciative of her inspiration to our entire family.

She set a goal and completed it with a smile as she did with so many accomplishments in her short life. Grace and I were given a gift to be with her during her accomplishment, and we were with her in the end.

News like this is disturbing to everyone, it is even more alarming for an avid runner, like myself.

Is running long distances safe? A study on WebMD says, cardiac arrest risks are low in marathons. Also stating, most cases of the heart stopping is linked to a pre-existing condition.

Runner's World provides this info:

The mortality rate in marathons has been extensively studied for several decades, with all the research coming to similar conclusions: For approximately every 150,000 marathoners, one will die. These deaths most likely occur from a heart attack precipitated by a congenital heart defect (in runners under 35 or so) or by artery blockage in older runners.

The death rate in half-marathons is 40 percent that of marathons.

Many deaths appear to occur near the end of the marathons or half-marathons. For that reason, experts now counsel runners not to push extra hard or sprint at the end.

Some may hear this news and decide to never take on the long distance challenge of a half or full marathon. First, I'd say, talk to your physician if have heart concerns. Next, don't shy away, you never know when your time in this world will end. So, be Like Cameron, live every moment to its fullest!