A runner suffered cardiac arrest at the halfway point at the California International Marathon on Sunday morning in a Sacramento suburb, according to the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District.
The woman, in her 30s, collapsed on the course and was found unresponsive once bystanders and medical personnel quickly arrive to help — and did not have a pulse and was not breathing near Fair Oaks Boulevard and Manzanita Avenue in the Carmichael area.
Medical staff administered CPR and used a defibrillator, which helped resuscitate the woman.
She was able to breathe on her own shortly after receiving a “a spontaneous return of circulation” and taken to a local hospital where she was listed in stable condition. Her name and other information was not by officials,.
“This positive outcome to this point was made possible by the quick actions of bystanders and on-scene EMS personnel, as well as the coordinated efforts of our fire dispatchers and command post staff. It also reflects the extensive planning and preparation carried out by multiple agencies including the California International Marathon staff, fire, EMS, dispatchers and law enforcement over the past several months to ensure the safety and security of all race participants,” Metro Fire said in a statement.
CIM hosted around 10,000 runners in Sunday’s race and is commonly looked at as an attainable path for participants hoping to time qualify for the Boston Marathon as one of the final long distance events of the year.
Futsum Zienasellassie won the men’s race in 2:09:29, Molly Born sets a course record in 2:24:09 in her marathon debut.
