I (28F and EMT) recently moved to a new suburb that has a very nice popular jogging path (yay me! :)). A couple of days ago I was at the trail doing my usual 5 miler (typically progressing from ~8:30 to 7:30/mile). About a mile from finishing I came up behind this older gentleman who looked to be about 50 years old. Usually, I'd just go by with a small wave if it feels right, but this guy was sweating profusely and breathing extremely hard. I've never seen anyone laboring to this extent, even including races. He was moving at around 8min pace, so I had a couple of moments to assess his condition before passing, and while I guess he was ok (he was running afterall), I was actually very worried for him. At the same time, I felt like it might be "out of my lane" to ask if he was OK or to suggest that maybe he should take it a little easier. But, I also didn't want a cardiac event to occur on my watch, so it was a tough one. I decided to pass him but then try to run at his pace just a little ahead of him so that if anything happened, I could be there to help.
We ran this way for over a half mile before reaching the parking lot where I was at. Right after I stopped, I checked to assess him one last time. He looked over and I think he tried to say something, but could only manage a little grunt with some drool, which was more than I thought he could do. I would have thought he was oblivious to the world being that far in to the pain cave, and he just kept on going. TBH, I felt a little guilty afterwards for not continuing after him to make sure he finished OK (I hope so)!
Should I have done anything differently, or said something? I don't usually offer unsolicited advice, but this guy was clearly beyond red-lining and totally on the edge.