ARCHIVED - Murcia soldier dies after crossing half-marathon finishing line in Alicante
The 50th Elche Half Marathon – the oldest in the world – ended in tragedy with the death of a 21-year-old local runner
A 21-year-old athlete has died of suspected cardiac arrest after crossing the finish line of Elche's 50th Half Marathon on Sunday March 12.
Fernando Ayala Collado from Elche played for the Alicante town's handball club and was a soldier at the San Javier General Air Academy.
Soaring temperatures nearing 30ºC are believed to have attributed to the untimely death of the young man, who slumped to the ground after completing Elche's 21.97km race – the oldest in the world, attracting athletes from across Spain and further afield.
Medics spent 20 minutes performing cardio-respiratory massages to try to revive the athlete before he was taken by ambulance to Elche General Hospital.
For a further 40 minutes, medical staff continued to try to save the young runner, but were unable to do so and the doctors could only certify his death, according to organisers of the Elche Half Marathon.
There have also been reports of several other runners fainting, and while their conditions were not considered life-threatening, they did require hospital treatment.
In statements, both Elche Decathlon Athletics Club and Elche Town Hall's Department of Sports, said they "deeply regret" that the half-marathon has been marred by such a tragic event, while stressing that all the required sanitary measures were in place to try to ensure the safety of the 3,200 runners.
The victim, Fernando Ayala Collado, who was studying to be an aviator, was a valued member of Elche Handball Club.
In a tribute posted on social media, the club wrote: "We would like to convey our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Fernando Ayala. We will always remember you as a sportsman who grew up giving everything for us. Rest in peace".
Known by his family and friends as 'Ferbu', the athlete reportedly arrived at the race in apparent great physical shape. He took part in the Men's U23 category and came second, wearing shirt number 323.
Fernando completed the half-marathon with an impressive official time of 1.28.02 before his untimely death.
Elche Mayor, Carlos González, made a public statement on Monday morning expressing "our consternation and our pain following an absolutely regrettable circumstance that has generated great pain in the entire sporting family and in the municipality as a whole.
"I would like to express our condolences, our affection and our solidarity with the family of this young man, who sadly died yesterday during a sporting event that is so important to Elche".
Five minutes of silence will be honoured in Plaça de Baix, Elche at 5.30 pm on Tuesday March 14.
Image: Ayuntamiento de Elche
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