Student dies on marathon run

The ‘Give Life’ Chennai Marathon held on Sunday began with great fanfare and a huge turnout but ended in tragedy with the death of a 22-year-old Anna University student, who collapsed in the final leg.

Police identified the deceased as M Santosh, a native of Kochapalli village near Pakkam-Agaram in Krishnagiri district. Santhosh was a final year M Sc geology student at Anna University. He was staying with friends at Venka-teswara hostel in Triplicane.

When Santhosh was in the final leg of the marathon, near Santhome church, he collapsed. Security personnel carried him to the pavement. He was rushed to Malar hospital in Adyar for first aid and referred to the government General Hospital. He was admitted to GH at 9.35 am but was declared dead at 9.45 am. Doctors said he died due to cardiac arrest.

Police sources said nearly 30 others, including eight women, who participated the marathon, were treated and discharged during the race. A team of doctors that was following the runners treated several persons for muscle strains and cramps. Some fainted due to dehydration.

The marathon for men and women began at 6 am, the shorter city run at 7.30 am and long-distance masters’ run at 8.30 am from the War Memorial. The marathon was organised by Tamil Maiyyam and Good Will Communications.

Though the morning was pleasant and cloudy, the sun came out after a while and some of the participants found it hard to run in the heat.

Santhosh was participating in the masters’ run, a 21.09 km marathon, which started at the War Memorial and wound its way through the city finally ending at Queen Mary’s College (QMC). Eyewitnesses said Santhosh was struggling near Foreshore Estate, but he refused to give up as he was close to the finish line.

Police have registered a case under section 174 of the CrPC (death due to accident) and investigations are on.
Several students and teenagers had stopped halfway through the marathon and sought shade under trees. J S Ralvas, a coast guard personnel from Vishakapatnam, fainted near Foreshore Estate and was taken to GH.

City police had deployed as many as 10,000 personnel along the marathon route. Senior police officers were at important junctions and Rapid Action Force, Swift Action Group and Commando Force personnel were also at the start and finish lines.