Girl, 15, dies after collapsing during Leiden half marathon

A 15-year-old girl has died after collapsing near the end of a half-marathon race in Leiden.

Paramedics were unable to resuscitate the girl after she lost consciousness around 4km from the finish line at noon on Sunday, two hours after the start of the 21.1km (13.1 mile) race.

Organisers faced questions about how the girl was able to enter the race, which has a minimum age limit of 16. The Dutch athletics association (Atletiekunie) says 15-year-olds should not run race distances of more than 10 kilometres.

“Our system is based on the age details that the participants provide,” said race director Tjeerd Scheffer.

Around 20,000 people were signed up to run the marathon, half marathon and shorter race in Other races that were due to start later in the day, a 10km and a kids’ race of 2.1km, were immediately cancelled.

A tent was set up around the girl and the paramedic team to shield them from passers-by. Witnesses included a band that was playing music to motivate the runners as they passed the junction of Herensingel and Lange Rijndijk.

Scheffer said: “This is dreadful news, first of all for the family of this girl. But her sudden death is also a devastating blow for her relatives, friends and acquaintances. Our thoughts are with them.”

The mayor of Leiden, Peter Heijkoop, said: “This is incredibly sad news that has caused huge dismay.”

Local media reported the girl was from the nearby town of Oegstgeest, where she worked at local hotel Villa Beukenhof.

The hotel’s owner said in a social media post that staff were “devastated” by the loss of a “much-loved colleague and a warm, engaging and special person.”

Weather conditions on Sunday were said to be favourable for running, with temperatures of around 15 degrees and a light wind. Two years ago the race was abandoned when 25 runners were taken to hospital with symptoms of heat exhaustion.