A Wisconsin father of four has died after collapsing within sight of the finish line during his first half marathon.
John Meise, 36, was running the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon half marathon on Sunday morning when he fell to the ground shortly before 10 a.m., according to a witness who spoke to WISN. A fellow runner told the outlet they watched as EMTs administered lifesaving care near the 13-mile mark, less than 600 feet from where the race ended.
Meise was transported by stretcher off the course and taken to Froedtert Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office told WISN that the 36-year-old had no known medical history and that his cause of death remains undetermined.
Meise had been running for six years, his wife, Lauren, told TMJ4, but Sunday marked his first attempt at the 13.1-mile distance. He leaves behind Lauren and their four young children — Mason, 11, Owen, 8, Lucy, 4, and 1-year-old Isla.
“His loss has left an enormous hole in the hearts of everyone who knew him, especially the family he loved more than anything,” his sister-in-law, Kristin Bennett, wrote on a GoFundMe page established to support the family.
Bennett wrote that Meise will be remembered for having “a way of making people feel welcomed, valued, and cared for, and his presence made a difference in the lives of so many.”
Family friend Stacy Horneck, who created a Meal Train account for the grieving family, spoke to WISN about the man she knew.
“He was literally the best Dad, and husband and best to everyone in his world,” Horneck said. “He loved doing everything with his family. To say they’re heartbroken is an understatement. He was so funny, and intelligent and talented.”
Meise was a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee graduate with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, according to his LinkedIn profile, and worked as a brand and digital marketing manager for QuadMed.
Race organizers addressed the fatality through a spokesperson, extending their “sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the half marathon participant who passed away following Sunday’s event.”
“We are deeply saddened by this loss and are grateful to the medical personnel, first responders, volunteers and public safety partners who support the safety and well-being of participants throughout race weekend,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added that the event maintains established medical and emergency-response protocols, including on-course medical support, and that participant safety “remains a central priority.” Organizers noted that this was the first death in the race’s 44-year history.
The Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon weekend drew a record-breaking turnout, with about 8,000 people registered across the weekend’s events and roughly 6,000 runners taking part on Sunday, according to the Milwaukee Business Journal.