Ironman athlete dies after needing medical care during 140-mile race, WI officials say

An Ironman athlete competing in a 140.6-mile triathlon died after needing medical attention during the race, Wisconsin officials say.

A race staff member and an off-duty police officer provided care to an athlete while they were on the biking portion of the race in Madison, Ironman Wisconsin said Sunday, Sept. 10. The athlete was taken to a hospital, where they died, race organizers said.

Organizers did not provide any additional information about the victim.

Deaths at Ironman Wisconsin have happened before, according to media reports.

In 2019, two athletes died after being pulled from Lake Monona during the 70.3-mile race, which was half of the distance of Sunday’s race, according to the Wisconsin State Journal.

Michael McCulloch, 61, died from an accidental drowning and 38-year-old Todd Mahoney died two days after being found unresponsive in the water, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

Ironman Wisconsin is comprised of a 2.4-mile swim, 112 miles of biking, and a 26.2-mile run.