A 58-year-old athlete died today while taking part in a trail running race in Melgaço, which was part of the national championship, confirmed the president of the Portuguese association of the sport.
The athlete “was promptly assisted because it was in an area where there were rescue resources nearby. He was apparently in cardiorespiratory arrest and resuscitation maneuvers were attempted, but it was not possible to reverse his condition,” Rui Pinho told Lusa.
According to the president of the Trail Running Association of Portugal (ATRP), the victim was a federated athlete, had insurance and a medical examination in order and was a regular practitioner of the sport.
“He had enough ‘ranking’ to go to the National Championship race and was an experienced athlete,” said Rui Pinho, adding that the victim was found by a firefighter, who was part of the teams accompanying the participants by motorcycle during the race.
“He was one of the runners at the back of the peloton and there were few runners left on the trails” when he was found at the end of the race, he said.
In a statement, the Portuguese Athletics Federation (FPA), the Trail Running Association of Portugal and the Municipality of Melgaço expressed their “deep sorrow” at the death of the athlete during his participation in the National Trail Championship.
To the athlete’s family and friends, the FPA, ATRP and the Municipality of Melgaço send their “most sincere condolences”.
There were around 400 participants in the race.
