Athlete dies in Manila marathon

A 36-year-old man died Sunday morning while participating in the 31st Milo National Marathon in Manila, police said.

Investigators from the Manila Police District Homicide Division identified the casualty as Fidel Camson, a competitor in the 42-kilometer event.

Police Officer 2 Jay Santos said Camson was in the last kilometer of the marathon when he collapsed in front of the Rajah Sulayman Park in Malate at around 7:10 a.m.

He was immediately brought to the Ospital ng Maynila, where he died while being revived by doctors.

Milo marathon organizer Rudy Biscocho said the runner died of cardiac arrest.

“This is an unfortunate incident. Although the organizers are not liable for injuries or deaths during a race, it’s an accident that makes us all sad,” he said.

“It (accident) happens in any race and in other sports — it happens when you over-exert yourself,” he added.

“We talked to the family and we have given some financial assistance,” he said. “Of course, this is not an admission of guilt. It’s a modest way of showing our sympathy (for his loved ones).”

He said competitors in all the Milo national qualifying races and the finals yesterday are required to sign a waiver upon registration.

“We always tell our runners that before they run, they must have a physical check-up and they must signify that they are physically fit to run and they don’t hold the organizers responsible as a result of the run,” Biscocho said. – Edu Punay