Runner Dies After Collapsing on Ocean Parkway During Brooklyn Half Marathon

By BoroPark24 Staff

Tragedy struck the Brooklyn Half Marathon on Saturday morning when 31-year-old Charles Rogers collapsed around mile 8 of the race, near Ocean Parkway and 18th Avenue.

According to race officials, Rogers experienced a medical incident while running and received CPR at the scene before being rushed to Maimonides Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.

Rogers, a Verizon employee and former University of Minnesota football player, was participating in his first race with the New York Road Runners (NYRR). The university’s athletic department remembered him as “a terrific young man who had an infectious smile and personality.”

“It is with sadness and heavy hearts that we confirm the passing of one of today’s race participants,” said Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO of NYRR, in a statement following the incident.