One runner dead and 16 hospitalized as humidity strikes the RBC Brooklyn Half

The warm conditions at the RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon on Saturday morning have left one dead and 16 hospitalized as temperatures reached the mid-20s C at the start of the race.

The runner was identified as Flatbush, N.Y. resident David Reichman. The 32-year-old went into cardiac arrest on the Coney Island boardwalk after finishing the half marathon and was immediately rushed to Coney Island Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to a statement by New York Road Runners.

#brooklynhalf pic.twitter.com/gCFH8CcpNl

— Malin Hultcrantz MD PhD (@MalinHultcrantz) May 22, 2022

The race is organized annually by NYRR. This year, 22,000 participants ran from the Brooklyn Museum through Prospect Park to the finish at the Coney Island boardwalk. Conditions were unusually warm, with the temperature at 9 a.m. at 23 C, with 85 per cent humidity.

Dense fog advisories remain in effect this morning for all locations through at least 9am. Once the fog dissipates, temps will warm into the 80s and 90s. As a result, a heat advisory is in effect for parts of our area. Dont forget to visit https://t.co/0cofXEqkfH for the details. pic.twitter.com/lN30mW5UQO

— NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) May 21, 2022

According to the NY Post, 16 runners were taken to hospital, including Reichman. Four had serious injuries from collapsing near the finish line.

Patricio Castillo of Mexico won the men’s half marathon in 63:58 and Erin Gregoire of New York City won the women’s race in 1:12:54. This marked the first year that the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) served as both the exclusive title partner and exclusive financial services and investment banking partner of the race.