Man collapses, dies during Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore

(Additional reporting by Nigel Chin)

A 29-year-old man collapsed while running the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore on Sunday (4 December).

Upon collapsing 1km from the finish line, the man was attended to immediately and transported to hospital but unfortunately could not be saved, said Geoff Meyer, managing director to the race’s organiser Ironman Asia.

“We are working with all stakeholders with regards to them, but our main priority and focus is the family and we are working with them to make sure they are fully supported in everything,” said Meyer.

The deceased man was identified in media reports as Briton John Gibson, who was residing in Hong Kong.

Race participant Artheus Genel Gaerlan posted a picture on his Facebook account of a man lying on the ground while being given CPR by another man. It is unclear if the man in the picture is the deceased.

Gaerlan told Yahoo Singapore that had encountered this man at the 20.5km mark at about 6.15am and that he, along with another runner, had gone to the collapsed man’s aid. “Another guy checked him and I also rushed to him while we asked for help, shouting (for a) medic,” he said.

“Who cares about finishing Sub-2 on a half marathon when someone is in need of help!” said Gaerlan in his Facebook post.

Note: This story was updated on 5 December to reflect the name of the deceased.