The first symptom may be the last

Runners
Runners approach the 23 mile mark in Sunday's marathon
MPR Photo/Euan Kerr

A runner in Sunday's Twin Cities Marathon collapsed and died from a heart attack, the second death in the 25-year history of the race.

Yet another runner was felled by cardiac arrest just before the finish line. He was revived on site and taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul.

Race participants are not required to prove they're physically fit before registering. Dr. Bill Roberts, medical director for the Twin Cities Marathon, explains why it wouldn't necessarily help if they did.