The runner who collapsed and died after finishing Kansas City’s Rock the Parkway half marathon Saturday was described by friends and family as an “avid runner” who “always had a smile.”
Brandon Russell was 34-years old.
.@41actionnews This picture of Brandon was taken during #RockTheParkway, where he finished the half marathon & suddenly collapsed @41actionnews pic.twitter.com/JZubpAoTDa
— Ariel Rothfield KSHB (@arothfield) April 11, 2017
"He was just go, go, go. I think he packed more in than anybody could. I guess now we know why but he knew,” said his finance Taryn Klein as tears ran down her face.
“He never quit, nope. No matter what it was, no matter what the challenge, he would take it on,” said his father, Steve Russell.
Tuesday night, dozens of Russell’s friends and family gathered at St. Pius X High School to remember the athlete and "perfect guy." Russell graduated from the school where he played football.
Brandon Russell was 34 years old. Engaged. An avid runner and sports fan. Tonight his friends & family are remembering him @41actionnews pic.twitter.com/gTT6iGSSTR
— Ariel Rothfield KSHB (@arothfield) April 11, 2017
His Mustang and football number, 21, are on display for all to see.
"He was all in all the time, so supportive,” said Klein. "He had a plan for everything but he was so flexible. He was just there for everybody.”
Russell’s friends have set up a GoFundMe page to help raise funds for an annual race scheduled closed to Russell’s birthday on May 22. Donations have already exceeded the $10,000 goal. According to his friends, all proceeds will help put on the race to remember Russell. All of the proceeds from the race will then go to his favorite charities.
"We found a note today earlier and it was a list of things he wanted to do and one of the things was to run for fun and train others,” said Klein.
Athletes and Sudden Cardiac Arrest
According to Dr. Anthony Magalski, director of St. Luke’s Athletic Heart Program, sudden cardiac arrest in athletes is rare.
"Less than 5 percent of all sudden death in this country occurs in athletes,” he said. "When it happens it's tragic and devastating. It gets a lot of attention but it’s pretty rare.”
According to Magalski, some athletes experience symptoms such as shortness of breath or skipped heartbeats.
Symptoms to look out for:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest discomfort
- Heaviness in the chest
- Heart racing or skipping unusually
“Every athlete should get a good examination and going-over by their primary care doctor. If any of these red flags or family history of such problems pop up then further testing such as EKG can be undertaken,” Magalski said.
---------
Tom Dempsey can be reached at Tom.Dempsey@KSHB.com.
