Tag Archive | "death"

Robin Williams Track and Field – Run It Fast

Robin Williams the XC and Track Runner

As we mourn the death of comedian Robin Williams we are reminded that he was a track and cross country runner in high school with a personal record of 1:58 for the 800 meters according to Scott Fishman.

Williams donated much of his time and money to the Challenged Athletes Foundation as well and was an avid cyclist.

[@scottfishman]

Posted in Celebrities, RunningComments (0)

Rock ‘n’ Roll Raleigh Marathon – Half Marathon

Two Men Die During the Rock ‘n’ Roll Raleigh Half Marathon

Yesterday at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Raleigh Half Marathon two young men died during the race. One man shortly after completing the race and another around the mile 10-11 mark of the race.

The men were 35 and 31 years old.

Rock ‘n’ Roll officials released the following statement:

“Wake County EMS and medical personnel were immediately on the scene and attempted to revive each runner, but their efforts were unsuccessful. We are greatly saddened by these tragic losses and our prayers go out to the each of the runners’ family and friends.”

It’s the 12th death at Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon/half marathon since 2005 according to the Charlotte Observer.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of both of these men. The news comes just a few hours after another runner died shortly after completing the London Marathon in London Marathon.

Posted in Half Marathon, RunningComments (0)

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The Way Angela Runs

Angela stands relaxed on Broad Street, Cookeville, TN, August 11, 2006

Note: As the title’s present tense suggests, this story about Angela Ivory was written when she was running and feeling well, back in 2006 after she’d fought breast cancer to a sulking standstill and after she’d run a marathon in each of the fifty states plus D.C. She would repeat that running feat and set a new and harder goal. It seemed a happy time for her. She had been free of cancer for two years. We know now, of course, cancer eventually came back. This story was written as a feature for the Herald-Citizen newspaper. It was reprinted in three running magazines and has since been adapted as a chapter in my recent book Going Down Slow. On the sad occasion of her death Thursday, May 31, I dug the story out. As we mourn her death maybe it can serve as a vivid reminder of the full, vibrant life Angela managed to live during her forty-four years.

Read the full story by Dallas Smith by clicking HERE

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Paul Meyers Died During the Andrew Jackson Half Marathon

Paul Meyers Dies During Andrew Jackson Half Marathon

Jackson native Paul Meyers died during the Andrew Jackson Half Marathon on March 31, 2012.  Meyers was just 33-years old.

Meyers was an assistant public defender for the 26th Judicial District of Tennessee.  A graduate of Rhodes College in Memphis and the University of Mississippi School of Law.  He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

His death is the first in the 40 years of the Andrew Jackson Marathon and Half Marathon.  The race takes place every spring in Jackson, Tennessee.

“He was (lying) on the road and people had gathered around,” Charleyn Reviere said. “There was no pulse and we put him in the car and got him to Regional as quickly as we could.”

Meyers collapsed and fell around mile marker 8 of the race. He was found by Reviere, as she stood near the street, waiting to cheer her husband on during the race.

Meyers father and brother both died tragically young from heart related issues as well.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Paul’s family and friends!

Phi Alpha

Posted in Half Marathon, RunningComments (0)

Joyce Hardin Garrard – Jessica Mae Hardin Accused of Killing 9 Yr Old Savannah Hardin

9-Year Old Alabama Girl Savannah Hardin Run to Death by Grandmother and Stepmother

It is being reported that a 9-year old Alabama girl, Savannah Hardin, is dead after being forced to run for three hours after lying to her grandmother about eating candy bars.

The girl died several days after having a seizure during the run. She was severely dehydrated during the run that caused the seizure.

Her grandmother, Joyce Hardin Garrard, and stepmother, Jessica Mae Hardin, are now being charged with murder.

Savannah Hardin died Monday at Children’s Hospital in Birmingham, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office. The sheriff’s release said an autopsy report showed the girl was extremely dehydrated and had a very low sodium level. A state pathologist ruled it a homicide.

The sheriff’s office received calls from concerned citizens who witnessed the girl running. No other details were released, but an official with the local volunteer fire department said rescuers thought something seemed odd when they responded to a call about the child.

Both Garrard and Hardin are currently released on $500,000.00 bail and are awaiting trial.

Court records show that Robert Hardin filed for divorce in August of 2010. In his complaint, he asserted his wife was bi-polar and had alcoholic tendencies. He accused her previously of having run off with the couple’s own child. In her response, Jessica denied all of Robert’s allegations.

This story is extremely tragic and very saddening.  Both women hopefully will be found guilty of little Savannah’s murder if the details of the story and police report are accurate.  It is no less than extreme child abuse of the girl and probably not the first time she was abused in such a way.

What they did was unconscionable. Their punishment of Savannah for her ‘crime’ of eating candy bars was beyond excessive and showed little concern, care, or love for the girl.

Our thoughts and prayers at Run It Fast go out to the Hardin family…those that loved and cared about her at least.

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Tragic Day in Philly: Two Runners Die Running Philadelphia Marathon

Bad news out of Philadelphia earlier today as two marathoners died during the 18th annual Philadelphia Marathon.

One was a 21-year old who died at the finish line and the other was a 40-year old who collapsed less than 1/2 mile from the finish.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer:

According to a source, the 21-year-old male is Jeffrey Lee, a California native. Mr. Lee was a senior nursing and business student at The University of Pennslyvania.

Both were rushed to the hospital where they passed away from heart attacks.

Several others were sent to the hospital out of the 25,000 runners that ran the race.

The deaths add to number of those that have already died at marathons this year.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families of these two.

Posted in Marathon, RunningComments (2)

Charles Reagan – Milan Bulldogs Elite 5k and 10k Runner

Legendary Tennessee Runner Charles Reagan Murdered

Charles ‘Charlie’ Reagan, one of the best runners from West Tennessee, was brutally robbed and murdered this afternoon at his muffler shop in Milan, Tennessee.

Reagan was found brutally stabbed to death inside his business, Supreme Muffler Center.  He was pronounced dead at Milan General Hospital.  He was 54 years old.

Milan police have arrested a 17-year old boy on charges of 1st degree murder and especially aggravated robbery according to The Jackson Sun.

Charles is survived by his wife, Trenia, and three daughters.

Charlie was a good running friend and one of my favorite people.  We always knew when Charlie showed up at a 5k or 10k race that we were racing for second place.

Reagan ran mostly 5k and 10k’s of recent but was an accomplished marathon runner as well.

He ran the Rocket City Marathon back in December 2010 in 3 hours and 7 minutes.  Earlier this year he ran the Germantown Half Marathon in 1:24.  His best marathon time I could find was a 2:52 in the 2002 Rocket City Marathon.

He was still knocking off sub 18 minute 5k’s this spring.  I had last run with him at the Medina Hornet 5K back just last month.  That day for some reason he went into great detail about how he ‘got fast’ and shared with me his speed workout that had helped make him speedy.

I had picked up a medal for him from a previous 10k a few weeks before that he had to leave early. I gave it to him that day. He looked at it a couple of times and told me, “This thing is puny!” He then found a small child to give it to.  The little boy lit up!

Charles would often wear all purple for his hometown Milan Bulldogs (high school).  After a win, he would famously shout out “How ’bout them Milan Bulldogs” or “Go Milan Bulldogs!”

A lot of us just run, but Charlie would truly Run It Fast!

He will be missed!

Read More About Charlie Reagan’s Death and Life

Charlie Reagan Memorial Video

Posted in 5K, Celebrities, Marathon, RunningComments (4)

Sally Meyerhoff elite marathon killer in crash

Elite Marathoner Sally Meyerhoff Killed in Tragic Bicycle Crash with Semi

27-year old elite marathoner Sally Meyerhoff was tragically killed on Tuesday when she was cycling and was hit by a semi-truck at an intersection in Maricopa, Arizona.

Sally, who had won the 2011 P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n Roll Marathon in Phoenix back in January, was instantly killed in the crash. The pick-up driver was not impaired, but the police is still currently investigating the accident.

The runner was allegedly happy and excited because she had just qualified for Olympic trials. Sally was also considered to be one of the Top 10 marathon runners in the country.

From Marathon Guide who sponsored Sally:

Sally’s running credentials were impressive and promising: a fifth place finish at the 2009 USA Marathon Championships in 2:35:49 and her victory at the 2011 Rock N Roll Arizona Marathon – among other marathons – confirmed her skill and potential at the marathon; she was recognized by the RRCA for her potential and awarded the “Roads Scholar” in 2008 and 2009; and at Duke University Meyerhoff had earned a number of ECAC titles including the 5000m outdoors in 2004 (16:22.94); 5000m indoors in 2007 (16:11.57); 3000m indoors in 2005 (9:19.88). Meyerhoff was also an accomplished triathlete and was training for the Ironman World Championships as well as the 2012 Olympic Trials Marathon where she had achieved the A-Standard on multiple occasions.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Sally’s family and friends!

[image: sportscasm]

Posted in MarathonComments (1)



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