Ultramarathon runner dies after collapsing during six-day race

October 5, 2021

Tragedy has hit the Marathon des Sables as organisers confirmed the death of a competitor after he suffered a cardiac arrest. The six day, 156-mile ultra marathon race, approximately the distance of six regular marathons, is currently taking place in its traditional venue of the Sahara desert in southern Morocco.

The first stage passed without problems but during the second stage on Monday, which took place in the Merzouga dunes, a French entrant, who was in his early 50s and had passed all the medical requirements to enter the race, fell seriously ill. He received immediate attention from two other competitors, who were doctors, and they triggered the SOS button on his beacon and started the heart massage protocol. Daily Star