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Teenage runner dies after collapsing at Rotterdam Marathon

The Rotterdam Marathon has been overshadowed by the death of a 14-year-old boy who collapsed at the end of the 10km race.

Pieter de Jong, from Vught in Noord-Brabant, died from a heart attack in hospital after falling ill shortly after crossing the finish line on Sunday.

Omroep Brabant reported that the teenager had suffered a previous heart attack six months earlier during a training session with his local hockey club.

On that occasion he was reanimated at the club before being kept in a medically induced coma while he recovered in hospital.

However, doctors who examined him afterwards said there was no cause for concern and he was allowed to resume sporting activity.

More than 100 distraught pupils and teachers at the Maurick College in Vught held a special assembly for their classmate on Monday morning.

The Rotterdam Marathon is one of the most prestigious events on the global marathon calendar, attracting more than 7,000 competitors including some of the world’s top distance runners.

A statement on the race organisers’ website stated that De Jong was taking part in the 10km run as part of a school team.

Officially children are not supposed to take part in competitive races of 10km until they reach the age of 16. However, the Rotterdam run was billed as a recreational event.

It is the second tragedy this year to hit the school, after a 12-year-old girl died in a motorway crash near Tilburg. 

Source: Omroep Brabant: Maurick College in Vught in rouw na dood Pieter de Jong (14)

Photo by Rene van Belzen

See also: Rotterdam Marathon website (in English)