Runner, 27, suddenly collapses and dies in final stretch of Minnesota half marathon

A young man died during a half marathon in Minnesota after experiencing cardiac issues in the final stretch, his family said.

Blake Joseph Groulx, 27, was running the City of Lakes Half Marathon in Minneapolis on Sunday when he collapsed about 11 miles into the 13.1-mile race.

When he stumbled and hit his head on the pavement along W. Bde Maka Ska Parkway just south of W. Lake Street fellow runners rushed to his aid, reported The Minnesota Star Tribune.

Madison Styrlund, a physician assistant, and Dr. Katherine Katzung were among those who helped administer CPR.

We were trying to give him the best chance of survival, Katzung told the local news outlet. He looked like a fit person, not somebody you would think this would happen to.

Blake Joseph Groulx (pictured), 27, was running the City of Lakes Half Marathon in Minneapolis on Sunday when he collapsed and died after experiencing cardiac issues

Styrlund said she was running the course around Lake Harriet and Bde Maka Ska with her sister when they noticed Groulx appeared to be struggling.

He just kind of shook it off and started running again, she said. We kept an eye on him over our shoulder... then he passed us and started sprinting past us like he was pushing past the pain.

The sisters soon passed Groulx again and offered him water and suggested he sit down when he fell.

Fellow runners administered CPR until first responders arrived and transported the young man to Abbott Northwestern Hospital where he later died.

According to his obituary, Groulx died of cardiac issues while finishing the last stretch of the City of Lakes Half Marathon.

He graduated from Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources in 2019 and was working at General Mills as a Packaging Engineer in Minneapolis

On a day meant to be a celebration, a family lost a loved one. Our hearts go out to the runners family and all those who were close to them, said race organizer Run Minnesota.

Run Minnesota and the City of Lakes Half want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the participants on the course who came to the aid of a fellow runner and the first responders and medical professionals who provided medical care.

The 27-year-old graduated from Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources in 2019 and was working at General Mills as a Packaging Engineer in Minneapolis.

His family described Groulx as a man with a warm smile who loved hosting and had a contagious laugh.

Groulx was just one week away from celebrating his two-year anniversary with his partner and was described as someone with a warm smile

Blakes love language was quality time and in countless ways he created memories with his family and friends whether it was through his cooking, sibling book club, community service, hiking, camping (preferably in the Fall due to the decreased likelihood of bugs), tennis, pickleball, running, traveling, hanging out at the cottage, or game nights, his obituary said. 

Groulx was one week away from celebrating his two-year anniversary with his partner James Menden.

In each other, they found their best selves and built a relationship full of authenticity, reciprocity, humor, security, trust, and love, his family said.

He is survived by his mother, father, three siblings, niece, nephew, paternal grandmother and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

A viewing is schedule for September 13 at Northeast Chapel with a celebration of life to follow.