Two runners die near end of Philadelphia Marathon

Published 7:45 pm Sunday, November 20, 2011

PHILADELPHIA — Two runners collapsed and died near the finish of Sunday morning’s Philadelphia Marathon.

Jeffrey Lee, a California native and University of Pennsylvania student, died at the finish line, a university spokeswoman confirmed. Lee, 21, was a senior nursing and business student.

Police department spokeswoman Jillian Russell said the other victim, a 40-year-old man, white male, collapsed a quarter-mile from the finish line.

She and race organizers declined to disclose that man’s name. Both victims were taken to Hahnemann Hospital and pronounced dead, apparently from heart attacks, Russell said.

Lee ran only a half-marathon, 13.1 miles.

Folisho Tuko of Ethopia won the men’s title with a time of 2:19:14. The women’s title-winner was Mariska Kramer of the Netherlands, at 2:35:46.