Runner dies during Brooklyn Half Marathon after collapsing on the course
A Manhattan man died after suffering a medical episode during the Brooklyn Half Marathon Saturday, police and race officials said.
Charles Rogers was in the race at 8:11 a.m. when he went into cardiac arrest and collapsed at Ocean Parkway and 18th Avenue, around mile 8 of the course, officials and family said.
“It is with sadness and heavy hearts that we confirm the passing of one of today’s race participants,” New York Road Runners Chief Communications and Community Coordinator Crystal Howard said.
“On behalf of the whole running community, we extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and loved ones.”
EMS workers responded, performed CPR and rushed Rogers, 31, to Maimonides Medical Center, but he couldn’t be saved, FDNY and race officials said.
His wife, Sydney Rogers, confirmed his death from her lower Manhattan home.
“Charles put everything he had into everything he did,” the grieving widow?told The Post. “While he leaves behind a wife and family that already miss him terribly, he loved being competitive and left us being 100% himself.”
Friends started a GoFundMe account in his memory.
Rogers took a job in 2020 as a Small Medium Business (SMB) Specialist with Verizon in the city and was running the race for a charity to support young runners, according to posts on his Facebook page.
“Join me in supporting Team for Kids, a team of adult runners dedicated to raising funds for New York Road Runners youth and community programs,” he posted on social media.
“Your donation will be a powerful catalyst in empowering youth and communities to develop and encourage healthy habits through running.”
More than 28,000 were expected to take part in the marathon, according to New York Road Runners.
The race started near the Brooklyn Museum, headed south on Washington Avenue, and then made its way through Prospect Park. Runners completed a loop in the park and then exited on Ocean Parkway, which leads to the finish line on the Coney Island Boardwalk.
