A record crowd of about 20,000 runners filled the streets of Detroit for the 33rd Annual Detroit Free Press Marathon on Sunday.
WWJ’s Beth Fisher reports that there were a lot of people who ran in the marathon or half-marathon for the first time.
As of Monday morning, a 51-year-old Rochester woman – who was running in the marathon for the first time – remains hospitalized. Few details are being released about the woman — who’s in critical condition after collapsing at the event. Bystanders performed CPR on the woman after she fell to the ground near mile marker 2.
When paramedics arrived, she was not breathing and did not have a pulse. The woman was rushed to Detroit Receiving Hospital.
Fenton resident, Becky Parks, ran the half-marathon. Her brother talked her into it since he ran the full marathon. “I can’t believe he made me do this, but it feels good. I’m glad that I did it,” Parks said.
“Are you a runner,” Beth asked Parks. “I guess so. I guess now I am, but never before I considered myself that. But, I’m feeling like I enjoy the sport much more now,” she said.
Post-race, Parks said she was exhausted and didn’t know if she would do it again. Her plans to recover included relaxing and eating.
Photo: Runners winding down following the race
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