Runner dies after finishing race
A 50-year-old runner died after crossing the finishing line of a race in Sai Kung yesterday morning.
Lee Kai-leung collapsed after completing the 10km event - part of the China Coast Marathon and Half Marathon programme. A police spokeswoman said he had been given immediate medical treatment.
'The unconscious man was rushed to Tseung Kwan O Hospital, where he was certified dead at 9.52am,' she said. The event, which was organised by the Athletic Veterans of Hong Kong, started at 8am. It began and finished at Pak Tam Chung, along the High Island Reservoir.
Lobo Louie Hung-tak, associate professor of physical education at Baptist University, said the man might have exhausted himself and that could have affected his heart.
'The middle-aged runner in this case might have had some health problems that he did not know about or this could be another case of sudden death, which can happen to anyone - regardless of one's age.'
He urged long-distance runners both young and old to undergo a thorough check-up before running races.
'Runners should have detailed medical examinations that specialise in checking the heart before signing up for marathon races,' he said.
The Standard Chartered Marathon - in which a runner died three years ago - takes place on February 8.
