Woman Collapses and Dies at Cleveland Half-Marathon: Causes Revealed

The Medical Examiner has released the cause of death of Taylor Ceepo, who collapsed and died during a half-marathon in sight of the finish in Cleveland, Ohio on May 19, 2019. The medical examiner's office said the cause was sudden cardiac death in association with physical exertion, pseudoephedrine use and cardiomyopathy.

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Published: 7/28/2019, 3:54:29 PM EDT

Woman Collapses and Dies at Cleveland Half-Marathon: Causes Revealed — Walsh University Graduate Taylor Ceepo, 22, died while competing in a maraton in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 19, 2019. (Courtesy of Walsh University/Facebook)

The Medical Examiner has released the cause of death of Taylor Ceepo, who collapsed and died during her first half-marathon in sight of the finish line in Cleveland, Ohio.

One of the causes of death the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office revealed was excessive physical exertion. Ceepo, a Walsh University graduate in biology and soccer and sports fanatic, had set a high standard for herself in her first half-marathon.

On top of that, it was a sweltering day on May 19 with temperatures hitting 80 degrees, which may have caused hypothermia and dehydration.

Pseudoephedrine, a substance that features in certain types of nose sprays, known for their endurance promoting qualities—and health hazards—and therefore banned in athletics, were found in her body.

Ceepo also suffered from cardiomyopathy, a congenital condition of the heart muscle being thick or stiff and therefore unable to pump the blood adequately to the rest of the body, according to MayoClinic.org.

Ceepo's family released a statement to FOX8:

"The family of Taylor Paige Ceepo would like to thank everyone for their outpouring of love and support since Taylor passed away on May 19 while running the Cleveland Marathon."

"We had no idea that Taylor had undiagnosed cardiomyopathy. She had annual physicals every year in high school and college, and we would recommend to any parent that they check their son or daughter for this underlying condition. Since Taylor passed away, we have had our daughter Isabella—also a soccer athlete—checked for basic cardio function, but will now try to check for this particular issue at the Cleveland Clinic. We will miss our beautiful, loving daughter forever, but know that she is in the arms of her savior."

There Was No Quit in Her

A military veteran, Michael Donley, who was also running, saw Ceepo collapsing before his eyes, he told WKYC3.

“She was leaning way back, and she was about to fall and crack her head,” Donley said. “I actually scooped her up and got her up under my arm.”

“I didn’t know her at all, but I knew there was no quit in her,” Donley said. “I had to tell her to stop and that hit home.”

Family Mourns

University Hospitals (UH) confirmed Medina resident Taylor Ceepo 22, passed away while being transported from the Cleveland Marathon to the emergency room.

Ceepo was rushed to the hospital after collapsing during the half-marathon course winding between Public Square and the Renaissance Hotel on Detroit Avenue, according to Marathon Spokesperson George Stamatis.

“It is with deep sadness that we can confirm that a female runner collapsed during the race this morning (May 19),” the spokesperson said on Facebook. “We are looking into this situation further, but our thoughts and prayers are first and foremost with her family during this difficult time.”

Marathon Public Relations Specialist Cristine Torek told the Akron Beacon Journal that Ceepo collapsed less than a mile before finishing the race, while temperatures peaked in the 80-degree range. An estimated 15,000 entrants were offered the choice of running or walking, Torek said.

Walsh University in North Canton confirmed Ceepo had only graduated this spring and was a member of the soccer team on campus.

“Taylor graduated just a few weeks ago from Walsh University, with a biology—pre-professional major, and minors in both psychology and chemistry,” the university said in a written statement. “Taylor was a member of the women’s soccer team and hailed from Medina.”

Epoch Times reporter Richard Szabo contributed to this report.