Second marathon runner who collapsed dies

A second young runner who suffered a cardiac arrest during a recent marathon in Guangzhou has died, the event's organizing committee confirmed.

Ding Xiqiao, 25, collapsed just before the finish line of the 5-km Guangzhou marathon on Nov 18.

Ding was admitted to the intensive care unit of No 6 Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, but never recovered from a coma and died early Tuesday.

Another runner, Chen Jie, 21, died after suffering a heart attack on a 10-km race.

Both Ding and Chen collapsed running the same course.

Chen's family accepted the doctor's cause of death and did not ask for an autopsy, the organizer said.

In a press statement late on Monday night, the organizer said both runners received prompt treatment and there have been no problems related to medical fees.

Local authorities organized more than 250 medical staff, 380 volunteers and 20 ambulances to cover the event, according to the statement.

Some 1,517 runners suffered symptoms such as vomiting, dizziness and cramps during the various races, the organizer said.