Three Runners Collapse, Die During Detroit Marathon

October 19, 2009 5:17 a.m. EST

Detroit, MI (AHN) - Three men collapsed and died in a span of just 16 minutes while running the 32nd Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Marathon, according reports Sunday.

One Daniel Langdon, 36, of Laingsburg was first to collapse at about 9.02 a.m. between the 11th and 12th mile near Michigan Avenue and First. He later died.

At about 9:17 a.m. Rick Brown, 65, of Marietta, Ohio, also reportedly collapsed near the spot where Langdon went down.

John Felon, 26, of Waterford, who just finished the half-marathon, became the third casualty after reportedly collapsing at about 9:18 a.m.

It is widely believed that the cause of the deaths were due to apparent cardiac problems

According to race organizers, all three men were participation in the 13.1 mile half-marathon. Two of the reported casualty died at the finish line, while the first was at a fluid station.

Sunday's tragedy marked the first deaths in the event since 1994.

A male runner died while running the full marathon because of cardiac problems in 1994.

According to the National Weather Service, the temperature at City Airport was 28 degrees at 7 a.m. It rose to 34 degrees by 9.a.m.