Mexican national team sprinter dies during Mexico City Half Marathon
Former Mexican national team sprinter Juan Stenner died at the finish line, but couldn't be identified immediately, since he ran without a race bib
Osvaldo Aguilar/ RunCDMX
The celebrations at the 2024 Mexico City Half Marathon on Sunday came to a halt when a runner without a race bib collapsed and died at the finish line. The unidentified runner was immediately transported to a nearby hospital, where he arrived without vital signs. He was later identified as former Mexican national team sprinter Juan Stenner, who had represented his country at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Juan Stenner, exatleta mexicano de 32 años que participó en los Juegos Panamericanos de 2011, falleció este domingo durante el Medio Maratón de la Ciudad de México.
El deportista de 32 años se desvaneció tras cruzar la meta y pese a que recibió atención médica, llegó al… pic.twitter.com/WcoYjA5rDc
— Irving (@IrvingPineda) July 15, 2024
According to a report from the Mexico City Sports Institute, the 32-year-old was not signed up for the half-marathon. He fainted suddenly after finishing, and was given immediate medical attention by the Red Cross and volunteers before being transported to hospital. The statement also mentioned that Stenner did not have a bib number or any other indication of his registration in the race.
Running without a race bib, also known as banditing, is extremely dangerous, especially in situations like these. Since the runner had not registered for the race, personnel were unable to identify him or quickly notify his emergency contacts.
Stenner ran for the University of South Carolina in the NCAA from 2012-2014 and competed for Mexico in the 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay, finishing sixth at the 2011 Pan-Am Games. He retired from track and field in 2018 and had been distance running since. He was an avid half marathoner, participating in big city events like the NYC Half and the Mexico City Half in 2019.
¡Siempre te recordaremos como un gran atleta y ser humano! 🙏🏻
Lamentamos el fallecimiento de nuestro exalumno, Juan Stenner Escalante, integrante de la generación 2008-2011, quién falleció el día de hoy mientras corría el Medio Maratón de la CdMx. pic.twitter.com/emcPsdIgqu
— Alumni prepa UP (@AlumniPrepaUP) July 15, 2024
More than 30,000 runners competed at the 17th edition of the city’s summer half-marathon. The men’s race was won by 18-year-old Kenyan runner Frederick Yeko Domongole in 64:37, and Joyce Chepkemoi Tele set a new course record in the women’s race, crossing the finish line in 1:10:34.
