Chesapeake man, 23, was runner who died at half-marathon

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By Kathy Adams
Lauren King
The Virginian-Pilot
© September 8, 2009

VIRGINIA BEACH

Police have identified a runner who died during the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon on Sunday.

Erik Wellumson, a 23-year-old from Chesapeake, collapsed on the Boardwalk near 8th Street at approximately 8:50 a.m., police said today. A paramedic who was on hand for the event attempted to resuscitate Wellumson using CPR before he was transported to a hospital, where he died, according to a news release.

Wellumson's official cause of death is pending the results of a report from the medical examiner. The Police Department's Homicide Squad is investigating, according to the release.

"We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss," said Dr. Lewis Maharam, medical director of Elite Racing, which organized the event, in a statement. "We have spoken with the family and they have asked everyone to please respect their privacy during this difficult time."

Dan Cruz, the event spokesman, said only one other participant has died in the half-marathon’s nine-year history.

In 2005, a runner in his 50s died at 9:12 a.m. near the end of the race course at 27th Street and the Boardwalk. Within seconds, four doctors who were running in the event stopped to help. Paramedics took over and transported him to Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital, where he died.

Pilot writer Patrick Wilson contributed to this story.

Kathy Adams (757) 222-5155; kathy.adams@pilotonline.com; Lauren King, (757) 446-2309, lauren.king@pilotonline.com

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Be kind to this family

Submitted by emilyl on Thu, 09/10/2009 at 3:08 pm.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2005_Feb_11/ai_n9511827/

Erik, You were a great

Submitted by crawfordff466 on Wed, 09/09/2009 at 9:00 pm.

Erik,

You were a great friend and an awesome quarterback. You will be missed... Rest in peace brother

Thomas

When it's your time . . .

Submitted by markk33831 on Tue, 09/08/2009 at 9:01 pm.

It is a shock any time someone this young, and a person who was doing something to stay healthy to boot, dies this way. My sympathies with the family that is dealing with their loss.

We respect the familys privacy.

Submitted by davidc74773 on Tue, 09/08/2009 at 7:22 pm.

It's a sad story with genuine human interest. If people are calling the family with questions then shame on them. The family should then refrain from paying the Pilot to post an obituary if their privacy has been invaded.

It was a public event, and people of all walks of life read the paper and are interested, and in many cases, very generous and caring in times of difficulity for people and familys they do not know.

I am not associated with this newspaper or website.

Race officials didn't...the

Submitted by carrien77332 on Tue, 09/08/2009 at 6:10 pm.

Race officials didn't...the police did.

Rest in peace.

Understand

Submitted by Chkultr on Tue, 09/08/2009 at 9:11 pm.

I understand the Race Officials did not release his name and that the police did, but the media posted his name not the police!

Just respect the wishes of the family is all that I am saying.

RIP

HMMMM

Submitted by Chkultr on Tue, 09/08/2009 at 4:58 pm.

"We have spoken with the family and they have asked everyone to please respect their privacy during this difficult time."

And they manage to post his name any way.

Nothing to do with privacy

Submitted by Jim Nasty on Tue, 09/08/2009 at 5:50 pm.

Deaths are a matter of public record and the newspaper has a duty to report the names of the dead if they have them.

Sad news, however.

lottery

Submitted by Chkultr on Tue, 09/08/2009 at 9:15 pm.

So is winning the lottery, but people asked not to be identified and they respect those wishes!

Must we know all? Do you feel complete now that the paper posted his name,age, and location?

If you want to do that then post all the names of the juveniles that commit adult crimes. As far as I am concerned they should be identified regardless of age...You rob or murder someone post that information and picture for all to see!

Not so with the lottery

Submitted by fermezlabouche on Tue, 09/08/2009 at 10:25 pm.

The lottery releases the names of people who win large prizes. You just don't hear about most people who win the lottery anymore because it's become a lot more common. But if someone won a $300 million jackpot, that person's name will be published whether they like it or not.

I think that publishing the name of the person who died was newsworthy, especially because he was participating in the half marathon and also because of his age. The names of people convicted of murder or robbery are also newsworthy, though juveniles are legally protected (unless they are charged as an adult, then they lose those rights).