The runner, who collapsed after crossing the finish line at the RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon during a blistering heatwave on Saturday, has been identified as 32-year-old David Reichman.
Reichman collapsed on the boardwalk at Ocean Parkway at Brighton Beach Avenue at the finish line in Coney Island at about 9:30 a.m., about two and a half hours into the 13.1-mile race.
The Brooklyn resident was taken to Coney Island Hospital, where he was pronounced dead after suffering a possible cardiac arrest, according to the New York Road Runners Club and the NYPD.
The coroner determined the cause of death. Temperatures in New York rose from below 60 F at dawn to nearly 80 degrees in the morning and peaked at 90 in the afternoon.
David Reichman, 32, collapsed at the finish line on Coney Island’s boardwalk in blistering temperatures during Saturday’s Brooklyn half marathon
Paramedics made their way through a crowd of runners at the RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon on Saturday after a man died near the finish line and five others were hospitalized
The 32-year-old runner collapsed just blocks from the finish
Reichman, a graduate of NYU Silver School of Social Work, was a licensed social worker in a Brooklyn practice
According to the FDNY, 16 people who competed in the 13.1-mile race were taken to a hospital. Five people were seriously injured, eight people were not life-threatening and four people were slightly injured.
Reichman finished in 1:40:53 according to the NYRR results page and placed 2,427 out of 18,770 runners.
Reichman, a NYU Silver School of Social Work graduate who is also fluent in Yiddish, was most recently a licensed social worker in a Brooklyn practice, according to his bio on the company’s website.
The 32-year-old’s bio states that he had specialized training in trauma-informed nursing, severe mental illness, personality disorders and addiction.
“Therapy is often a difficult and painful process of self-discovery,” says his biography. ‘It’s most effective when done in a supportive and empathetic environment where you feel safe to be challenged to explore your past and how it affects you and make changes in your life.’
The janitor at Reichman’s old Brooklyn apartment told the New York Daily News that he still had on him a package addressed to Reichman, who may have moved to Manhattan.
“Very nice guy, he had a great girlfriend,” the superstar said of Reichman. “He moved out a few months ago.”
It was unclear what caused the runner to collapse, although a statement from the nonprofit New York Road Runners said it happened after the man finished the RBC Brooklyn Half in 2022.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with the runner’s family and those close to him,” spokeswoman Trina Singian said.
Singian said medical staff were deployed throughout the circuit from start to finish. The group also monitored weather conditions before and during the race with city officials and weather experts. Singian said the temperature ranged from a low 60 to a high 70 degrees during the race, which started at 7 a.m
While race organizers warned participants about the heat warning in force for New York, the first in 16 years, it’s not yet clear if the heat has resulted in deaths and injuries, officials said.
Reichman’s death occurred Saturday when the tri-state area was hit by a heat wave
Saturday’s death marks the first time since 2014 that someone has died in a half marathon in New York City since a 31-year-old man collapsed after crossing the finish line
16 people who took part in the 13.1-mile race were taken to a hospital
The New York Road Runners released the following statement about the death on Saturday:
“We are deeply saddened by the death of a competitor following the RBC Brooklyn Half 2022. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the runner’s family and those close to him.
“The male runner … collapsed after finishing the race. He was immediately treated by on-site medical personnel and then taken to Coney Island Hospital. NYRR has medical staff stationed throughout the race from start to finish, ready to respond immediately to the medical needs of all runners, spectators, volunteers and staff. Runners who require further care will be transferred to appropriate medical facilities.
“The health and safety of our runners, volunteers, partners and employees remains a top priority for NYRR. In coordination and consultation with city government partners and weather experts, NYRR closely monitored weather conditions before and during the race. Temperatures ranged from the low 60s to the high 70s throughout the race.’
The Brooklyn Half Marathon fatality marked the first time since 2014 that a runner in a half marathon died in the city.
Coney Island Beach was packed Saturday, although lifeguards were not on duty until after Memorial Day weekend
New York City Mayor Eric Adams issued a warning about Saturday’s heat and said beaches were still closed, but that didn’t stop New Yorkers packing on Brooklyn’s Coney Island Beach
New York City Mayor Eric Adams had also warned about Saturday’s heat, saying beaches were still closed and asking residents to check on neighbors.
But New Yorkers ignored the mayor and just a few miles from the finish line, beachgoers at Coney Island Beach were caught catching a few rays of sunshine.
Coney Island also hosted the Kid’s Boardwalk Run on Saturday morning, and the Luna Park beachfront amusement park and aquarium were also open.
The beach was packed with families tanning on the sand and others looking for an escape from the heat and taking a dip in the water, though city officials asked New Yorkers to avoid the water for at least another week when lifeguards are officially on duty are.
Officials also warned of dangerous currents brought on by predicted storms, as well as a water temperature still below 70 degrees that could lead to hypothermia, CBS News reported.
But the heat is unlikely to last long as forecasters say a second round of storms will offer some relief from the summer heat and temperatures will return to normal by Monday, Accuweather reported.
Parts of the Northeast, including New York, can expect thunderstorms and heavy rain Sunday afternoon.