Runner dies after collapsing during Brighton marathon

A 23-year-old runner has died after he collapsed while taking part in the Brighton Marathon.

The man, who is thought to come from London, collapsed in Grand Avenue, Hove, at about 11.45am today (Sunday 14 April).

Paramedics and an off duty police officer tried to treat the man who is believed to have suffered a cardiac arrest.

He was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton where, despite further efforts to save his life, he died at about 2.30pm.

Race director Tim Hutchings said that the marathon organisers were saddened and were thinking about the runner’s family.

About 9,000 runners took part in the fourth Brighton Marathon which was started in Preston Park by Sussex and England cricketer Matt Prior. More than 7,800 runners completed the course.

Dominic Kangor, of Kenya, won the men’s race setting a new course record of 2 hours 10 minutes and 46 seconds.

Jon Pepper, 24, from Brighton, was the fastest Briton in 2:20:30.

Another Kenyan, Eunice Kales, 28, also broke the course record as she won the women’s race on her Brighton debut in 2:28:46.