Young runner dies after crossing the finish line of a half marathon on Spain’s Costa Blanca

The celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Elche Half Marathon was marred this Sunday by the death of a young local runner.

The 21-year-old collapsed after crossing the finish line.

He was transferred to the General Hospital of Elche where he died shortly after of an alleged heart attack.

Hot weather in the off-season made the course more difficult than ever and two other athletes required hospital treatment.

3,200 people participated in the event on Sunday and the organizers sent their condolences to the family of the deceased.

A statement said: “Health services did everything possible, including his rapid transfer to hospital.”

The mayor of Elche, Carlos González, sad: “We deeply regret this sad event on such a big day in an event so loved by the people of Elche.”

“We appreciate the work done by the health services, in addition to the volunteers, the police and the organizers to help the runner who unfortunately passed away,” added the mayor.

The Elche event is the longest half marathon in the world with the men’s race won by Britain’s Ben Cooper and Moroccan Hilali Siham victorious in the women’s race.