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Experienced Runner Dies After Completing SP City Marathon Half‑Marathon

The case highlights sudden cardiac events in fit amateur athletes, prompting attention to how race medical teams respond.

Overview

  • Júlio Barreto, a 50-year-old amateur endurance athlete, collapsed after crossing the finish line of the 21.1 km half‑marathon on Sunday (July 26) and died after being taken to a hospital.
  • Bystanders, including doctors, began first aid at the finish area and event medical teams started resuscitation before transferring him by ambulance to a nearby hospital where he did not survive.
  • Event organizers IGuana Sports / SP City Marathon issued a statement confirming the death, described the on-site medical response and said they would not provide further details out of respect for the family.
  • The Secretaria de Segurança and the 7º DP (Lapa) registered the case as a natural death and reported that Barreto had complained of arm pain near the finish before collapsing.
  • Friends, training partners and professional groups mourned Barreto and a visitation was set for Monday at Cemitério da Lapa, while the incident has put a spotlight on sudden cardiac arrest risks in otherwise healthy endurance athletes and on race medical preparedness.