Within the days main as much as final weekend’s Brooklyn half marathon, State Assemblyman Michael Novakhov’s workplace reached out to organizers of the race and Mayor Adams’ workplace to induce enhanced warmth precautions with forecasted temperatures within the 80s.
Novakhov’s staffers informed the occasion organizers they thought that was vital this 12 months, as a 30-year-old runner died from heat-induced cardiac arrest through the 2022 Brooklyn half-marathon, when temperatures hovered round 70.
Adams’ workplace and the opposite predominant organizer, New York Street Runners, assured Novakhov’s workforce their present protocols have been ample and have been based mostly on finest practices.
So when tragedy struck Saturday with the dying of 31-year-old Charles Rogers, Novakhov was livid. Rogers, a Manhattan resident, died after going into cardiac arrest as he was operating on Ocean Parkway close to the mile 8 mark of the half marathon route.
Novakhov, whose district consists of the part of Ocean Parkway the place Rogers collapsed, blasted Adams’ workplace and Street Runners for waving off his workforce’s proposals to put in extra water and cooling stations alongside the route and deploy extra aggressive warmth advisories to runners.
“They did nothing and that is very sad,” he stated.
New York State Assemblyman Michael Novakhov speaks at a information convention held on eighth Ave. in Sundown Park, Brooklyn, on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022 in New York. (AP Picture/Stefan Jeremiah)
Temperatures within the metropolis reached a excessive of 81 final Saturday. It’s unclear if Rogers’ cardiac arrest was heat-related, and town Medical Examiner’s Workplace stated Thursday they’re nonetheless reviewing the dying.
Ted Metellus, Street Runners’ chief occasion manufacturing officer, argued Novakhov is mistaken in his view.
Metellus stated half-marathon organizers positioned water stations about each 1.2 mile alongside the route as a result of that’s thought of finest follow within the trade, citing recommendation from Street Runners’ personal medical specialists and the Adams administration. Having them nearer collectively might lead to runners over-hydrating, which might make them sick, Metellus stated.
“We are impacted by our running community’s loss and are in support of Charles’ family and loved ones,” stated Crystal Howard, Street Runners’ chief communications officer. “It is disappointing that it would be leveraged inaccurately in this way, as we take the health and safety of our participants very seriously.”
Howard additionally defended Street Runners’ advisories, together with textual content blasts issued to runners when the race was underway notifying them circumstances had worsened and that they need to “slow down and prepare for warmer conditions.”
Minnesota defensive again Charles ‘Ace’ Rogers performs towards TCU throughout an NCAA school soccer sport, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015 in Minneapolis. (AP Picture/Paul Battaglia)
Novakhov’s workforce had requested warmth warnings be issued to runners straight through textual content within the days earlier than the race, however Howard stated that’s not finest follow, both, and famous all mass communication protocols and different public well being precautions across the race have been developed with the mayor’s workplace.
Adams’ workplace didn’t return a request for remark.
“We believe stronger action is warranted [this year] given the forecast and the tragic precedent in 2022,” he wrote. “For context, in 2022 the race saw 15 cardiac-related emergencies and one fatality — a healthy 30-year-old. We want to do everything possible to avoid a repeat.”
Runners cross the end line on the enduring Coney Island boardwalk through the 2025 RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon on Might 17, 2025 in New York Metropolis. (Michael Nigro/Sipa USA)
In response, Street Runners representatives wrote their present plans for 10 fluid stations alongside the route have been ample and added “all heat-related protocols are coordinated in partnership with our Medical Director, FDNY and the Mayor’s Office.”
Rogers, who lived on the Decrease East Facet and was a College of Minnesota soccer participant, leaves behind a spouse, Sydney Rogers.
“Charlie and Syd lived a very active and healthy lifestyle making this tragic event especially unimaginable,” reads a GoFundMe arrange for the widow that had raised almost $60,000 as of Thursday morning. Charles Rogers’ spouse, Sydney, declined to remark when requested about Novakhov’s requests for extra precautions.
The annual Brooklyn half marathon goes from the highest of Prospect Park to the Coney Island boardwalk. Along with Rogers and Reichman, one other 31-year-old runner died from cardiac arrest through the 2014 Brooklyn half marathon.
With Emma Seiwell and Thomas Tracy
