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Runner Dies During South Side Half Marathon

CHICAGO (STMW) - One runner is dead and 10 others were hospitalized after being "overcome by heat" Saturday morning during the 13.1 Chicago half marathon that organizers ended early on the South Side, police said.

The 22-year-old man was initially taken from the 7500 block of S. South Shore Drive to a local hospital in "very serious condition," police News Affairs Officer Veejay Zala said. He died at the hospital, police said.

The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office identified the runner who died as Zachary Gregory of Chicago.

Other runners "overcome by heat" were also hospitalized, Zala said. Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service Inc. spokesman Mary Franco said 11 people were taken to local hospitals. She declined to comment on their conditions.

The third annual 13.1 Chicago half marathon, which is mostly along the lakefront and Jackson Park started at 7:13 a.m. under a yellow flag, said Jeff Graves, the race's organizer in Chicago. A yellow flag means the heat index is at a point where runners should slow and drink plenty of water.

A red flag was issued at 8:51 a.m., Graves said. Clocks and timing devices are turned off when a red flag is issued so there is no rush to get to the finish line.

By 9:15 a.m. a black flag was issued canceling the race, Graves said. Buses were sent to pick people up, although some refused. He did not know what time people were hospitalized or if anybody was hospitalized after the black flag was issued.

The National Weather Service said the temperature at Midway was 80 degrees at 7:51 a.m., 83 degrees at 8:51 a.m. and 86 degrees by 9:51 a.m.

Organizers anticipated hot weather and added spray stations, 10 water stations, distributed Power Aid and water and gave out cold towels at mile seven, Graves said.

"Runner safety is just the priority … You never like to see these warm days," Graves said.

Because of a staggered start where about 250 runners were sent out every 90 seconds, only a few people had finished the race when the black flag was issued.

The Cook County Medical Examiner's office was not immediately available to confirm the death.

© Sun-Times Media Wire Chicago Sun-Times 2011. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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