A Wisconsin father of four and longtime runner died after collapsing near the finish of his first half marathon.
John Meise, 36, was competing in Sunday morning’s Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon when a witness saw him collapse shortly before 10 a.m., WISN reported.
Another runner told the outlet that emergency medical technicians performed lifesaving measures near the 13-mile point, less than 600 feet from the finish line.
Meise was carried from the course on a stretcher and transported to Froedtert Hospital, where he was pronounced dead soon after his arrival.
The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office said Meise had no known medical history and that his cause of death had not been determined.
He is survived by his wife, Lauren, and their four young children: Mason, 11, Owen, 8, Lucy, 4, and 1-year-old Isla, TMJ4 reported.
According to his wife, Meise had been running for six years, but Sunday marked his first half marathon.
“His loss has left an enormous hole in the hearts of everyone who knew him, especially the family he loved more than anything,” his sister-in-law, Kristin Bennett, wrote on a GoFundMe page created to help support the family.
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Bennett said Meise would be remembered for “a way of making people feel welcomed, valued, and cared for,” adding that his presence had touched the lives of many people.
“He was literally the best Dad, and husband and best to everyone in his world,” family friend Stacy Horneck told WISN. Horneck also created a Meal Train account for the family.
“He loved doing everything with his family. To say they’re heartbroken is an understatement. He was so funny, and intelligent and talented.”
Meise earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and worked as a brand and digital marketing manager at QuadMed, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Race organizers offered their “sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the half marathon participant who passed away following Sunday’s event,” a spokesperson told the outlet.
“We are deeply saddened by this loss and are grateful to the medical personnel, first responders, volunteers and public safety partners who support the safety and well-being of participants throughout race weekend,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said the event has established medical and emergency-response procedures, including medical support along the course, and emphasized that participant safety “remains a central priority.”
Organizers said Meise’s death was the first in the race’s 44-year history.
The event also recorded its largest-ever turnout, with approximately 8,000 people registered for races throughout the weekend and about 6,000 participants running Sunday, according to the Milwaukee Business Journal.
