27-year-old runner dies in final stretch of race days before anniversary, family says

A 27-year-old man known for his warm, inviting smile died during a half-marathon race in Minnesota, his family said.

An obituary for Blake Groulx says he died Sept. 8 of cardiac issues while in the final stretch of the City of Lakes Half Marathon in Minneapolis.

Madison Styrlund told The Minnesota Star-Tribune she and others gave CPR to Groulx about 11 miles into the 13.1-mile race. She first noticed Groulx was stumbling on the course before he eventually “went face-down into the curb.”

Dr. Katherine Katzung, an emergency room doctor who was also running, assisted in aiding Groulx.

“We were trying to give him the best chance of survival,” Katzung told the Star-Tribune. “He looked like a fit person, not somebody you would think this would happen to.”

Run Minnesota, a running organization in the state, confirmed the runner’s death and expressed its “heartfelt gratitude” to race participants who came to Groulx’s aid.

“On a day meant to be a celebration, a family lost a loved one,” Run Minnesota said. “Our hearts go out to the runner’s family and all those who were close to him.”

Born in Michigan, Groulx moved to Minnesota in 2020 when he started a career with General Mills as a packaging engineer, according to an obituary. In Minneapolis, he “found his true home.”

Groulx, according to the obituary, had a contagious laugh and would often energize crowds while making “each person feel seen, heard, special and loved.”

The obituary states Groulx and his partner, James Menden, were days away from celebrating their two-year anniversary.

“In each other, they found their best selves and built a relationship full of authenticity, reciprocity, humor, security, trust, and love,” according to the obituary. “Their families witnessed both their independent and combined growth and watched with joy as they flourished.”

Menden included a broken heart emoji as he shared a photo of him and Groulx on Facebook on Monday, Sept. 9.