TheOhioState wrote:
http://www.athleticsweekly.com/news/ultra-running-great-don-ritchie-dies-99084
Very sad, any word on the cause of death?
In his book, he notes a number of health problems that he had developed, including cardiac dysrhythmia, and, IIRC, diabetes.
Schiklgruber wrote:
In his book, he notes a number of health problems that he had developed, including cardiac dysrhythmia, and, IIRC, diabetes.
Thanks for that update. He was the best at distances under 24 hours.
It was always astounding the way he attacked ultras like they were 5Ks. The son of his contemporary Cavin Woodward posted here before. Maybe he has memory or two.
Very sad to read this, he was a fantastic runner.
Proof if you run distances that don't count, could be hard on your body.
critic 100 wrote:
Proof if you run distances that don't count, could be hard on your body.
Since when do these distances "don't count"? Road 100K is bloody hell. Don set a World Record in 1978 that still stands. Plenty of 2:10-20 marathoners have tried to break it over the years and failed. Ask any former pro athlete how they're doing. Elite level sports is hard on your body, period.
In his book's postscript, he notes diabetes, arterial plaque deposits, h/o angioplasty, atrial fibrillation, TIAs, 95% blockage of his left Carotid artery and CEA in '13. So possibly a cardiovascular related death.
Schiklgruber wrote:
In his book, he notes a number of health problems that he had developed, including cardiac dysrhythmia, and, IIRC, diabetes.
These issues will plague ultra runners and long-term marathoners in years to come.