3 runners die competing in the Detroit marathon

A half-marathoner and two other runners died during the Detroit marathon on Sunday, organizers said.

Daniel Langdon, 36, of Laingsburg, collapsed at about 9:02 a.m. between the 11- and 12-mile (around 17-19-kilometers) markers, said Rich Harshbarger, vice president of consumer marketing for the Detroit Media Partnership.

Rick Brown, 65, of Marietta, Ohio, collapsed at 9:17 a.m., near where Langdon went down, and 26-year-old Jon Fenlon of Waterford collapsed at about 9:18 a.m., just after finishing the half-marathon in 1:53:37, Harshbarger said.

It was unclear whether Brown and Langdon were participating in the 13.1-mile (21-kilometer) half marathon or the full race. Harshbarger told the Free Press that there were at least six medical stations on the race course and that emergency personnel were on the scene within seconds.

Every runner must sign a medical release form, and they are encouraged to talk to their doctors before they run the race, Harshbarger said.

"On a day when so many people bring such energy and challenge themselves to do their utmost, this news is very difficult to hear," said Free Press editor and publisher Paul Anger said. "Our deepest sympathies are with the families."

The temperature was about 28 degrees (-2.22 Celsius) when the marathon started and had risen to 41 degrees (5 Celsius) by 10 a.m. Running coach Keith Hanson said he doubted that the weather had anything to do with the deaths.

"The wind never kicked up," Hanson said. "In my mind, the conditions were perfect."

Deaths at marathons are relatively rare. The last death at the Detroit event was in 1994 when a 42-year-old man died of a heart attack after running more than 20 miles (32 kilometers).

More than 19,000 people were registered to participate in the 32nd Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Marathon on Sunday.

Nicholas Stanko, of Haslett, Michigan, took first place in the marathon with a time of 2:20:24.

Sarah Plaxton, of Highland, Michigan, was the top female finisher in the marathon with a time of 2:57:09.

Celebrities part of run to raise cancer awareness

PARTICIPANTS of the Elken Quacky Run on Oct 25 can expect to run alongside local celebrities like Joanna Bessey and Amber Chia.

The run marks the culmination of a six-month long Passionately YOU campaign to raise awareness about breast and cervical cancer.

The campaign was jointly organised by Assunta Hospital, Asia Asitance, PJ Live Arts and Jaya One.

Assunta Hospital executive officer Choy Wah Wei said many women came forward to obtain information and conduct check-ups at the roadshows held at various shopping malls in the Klang Valley.
He said there was a total of 379 breast check-ups and breast lumps were detected in 27 women. They were advised to go for further check-ups.

“Early detection saves lives so our campaign was aimed at creating that awareness,” said Choy.

He said they hoped to raise RM200,000 this year to help poor cancer patients.

PJ Live Arts (PJLA) executive director Teri Choong, who is part of the campaign organising committee, said besides the run, funds were also raised through a play staged at the PJLA theatre entitled Wacky Bar.

Directed by Bessey, the play brought together a star-studded cast including Chia, Patrick Teoh, Daphne Iking, Rashid Salleh, Joanne Kam Poh Poh and Na’a Murad.

Proceeds from the Charity Premiere Nights held from Oct 2 to Oct 4 would be channelled towards the campaign.

Besides running, walking or jogging, participants of the 4.5km fun run around Petaling Jaya can also choose to skateboard, rollerblade or cycle.

Elken Sdn Bhd senior corporate and legal affairs manager Vincent Chong said participants were not only contributing to a good cause but would also be enjoying themselves.

The run will be flagged off at Jaya One at 8am. Registration fee is RM40 per person and participants will receive a Run Kit that includes a T-shirt and message bib.

Participants will also receive a RM160 gift bag upon registering for the run.

Registration can be done online at www.hooha.asia and manual counters are located at the third floor of the PJLA, the FTAAA office in Wisma OCM and at the Assunta Hospital ground floor.

For more information, visit www.pjla.com.my or www.assunta.com.my.

SSL Diabetes Walk 2009

Date : 8th of November 2009, Sunday

Time: 6.30 am

Mode of Registration:

(in person)1. SSL (Puchong) Dialysis & Stroke Rehabilitation CentreLot PT-39480, Jalan Industri,Pusat Bandar Puchong, 47100,Puchong, Selangor,Malaysia.

Refreshments will be provided.

For more information, please refer to

http://www.voices.com.my/events/details/11-09-ssl-diabetes-walk-09

Walk With Love

Quaky Run

Pink Ribbon Walk