22-year-old runner collapses at marathon, dies

CLEVELAND — A 22-year-old woman running in the Cleveland Marathon has collapsed and died.

University Hospitals spokesman George Stamatis says Taylor Ceepo collapsed at Sunday’s race and was dead on arrival at the hospital. He couldn’t provide further information because of patient privacy.

The Cuyahoga (cy-uh-HOH’-guh) County Medical Examiner’s Office says the cause of death hasn’t been determined.

The Akron Beacon Journal reported that Cristine Torek, a public relations specialist for the marathon, said Ceepo had nearly finished the race when she collapsed. The race’s estimated 15,000 runners were told they could run or walk as temperatures reached into the 80s.

A message seeking comment was left for race officials.

Walsh University in North Canton said the Medina woman graduated this spring and had been a member of the women’s soccer team.