Marathon runner died from hyperthermia

Father-of-two Robert Berry, of Paddock Road, was taken to St Mary’s Hospital in London but died later the same day, Sunday, April 13.
The 42-year-old was running for the National Osteoporosis Society on behalf of his mother Ann, aged 72, of West Sussex, who has lived with the brittle bone condition for two decades.
The hearing at Westminster Coroner’s Court on Wednesday, August 27, was told that Mr Berry succumbed to hyperthermia - a condition where the body is unable to regulate its temperature, over heats and begins to shut down - despite being fit and having no underlying health problems.
His family has called for increased awareness of the condition among runners.
Westminster coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox said that, 250m from the finish, he was seen to stumble and lose his footing.”
She added: “Stewards assisted him, but 40m from the finish line he was handed over to St Johns Ambulance at the point he collapsed.
Dr Chioma Ginigeme, who treated Mr Berry at hospital, said: “His body temperature on admission was 42c, and the normal temperature can be anything between 36.4c to 37c.”
“We attempted to cool him down while continuing resuscitation. We put ice packs around his head and under his armpits.”
Medics also gave him two litres of intravenous fluid but were unable to save him, the inquest heard.
A post mortem exam revealed the cause of death was hyperthermia.
Pathologist Dr Michael Osborn said: “It’s the sort of thing that good runners and athletes, who are pushing themselves, are more likely to fall into this, more than ultra-elite, or Olympic, level athletes.
“Broadly speaking it’s like heatstroke, but at the top end. Like heatstroke it could be caused by dehydration, the temperature of the area, and it could all come down to genetic factors - some people are more predisposed to it.”
He added: “It’s not an uncommon cause of death in this type of situation. It reaches a stage when it becomes impossible for the body to start cooling itself down.”
Donations for the National Osteoporosis Society, for which Mr Berry was raising money, surged to more than £73,000 after his death.
Mr Berry’s widow, Gwen said this week: “Rob was a loving husband, father, brother, and son. His family is incredibly proud if him for who he was and what he achieved throughout his life. He was a fun-loving, hard-working, determined person who is – and will continue to be – missed by his family, friends and colleagues.
“Rob trained meticulously for the marathon, ran within his capabilities and had no underlying health issues.”
She added: “We believe that awareness of hyperthermia is lower in the running community than it should be and hope that publicity from this case will cause relevant authorities to highlight the risks more strongly and revise training guidance as required to prevent other sportspeople suffering a similar tragedy.
“Rob’s death was a sudden, tragic, and premature end to a life – It’s difficult to comprehend how to move on from this. But Rob was a great believer in moving on and not dwelling on something that could not be undone. His family and friends take great strength from his attitude to life.”
Mrs Berry thanked the 6,500 people who boosted the donations fund and the local community for the “overwhelming kindness and support” they received in the aftermath of the tragedy.