Cause of runner’s death still undetermined

He was taken to a hospital, where he later died, Pete Piringer, fire and rescue spokesman, said.

About six or seven other runners were also taken to the hospital for dehydration and heat exhaustion and others were treated on site, Piringer said.

Alan Tetervin, Rockville Rotary Club chairman, said emergency medical technicians and race officials saw the man collapse and began treating him immediately.

‘‘Something went wrong and that person probably shouldn’t have been running,” Tetervin said.

The heat index was above 80 degrees Saturday, which was declared a Code Orange day, meaning the pollution levels are considered harmful for children, elderly people, and those with breathing or heart conditions.

Meteorologist Stanley Doore was on hand at the race and measured the temperature six times, and the race was delayed 15 minutes, before it was cool enough to begin.

The temperature at 8:45 p.m. was just under 82 degrees, according to a formula that measures the temperature and humidity, allowing the race to continue as planned. The race would have been deemed unofficial and been held as a ‘‘fun run” if the temperature levels had remained above 82 degrees, Doore said.

About 2,300 people ran in the race and all were advised of the severe hot weather conditions that night, Tetervin said.

A hot weather warning was posted on the event’s Web site advising runners to drink plenty of water and reduce their pace or decide not to run. The runners were instructed to write an emergency contact on the bib pinned to them during the race.

Tetervin said 11,000 drinking cups and 3,200 bottles of 16.5-ounce iced water bottles were distributed to runners throughout the race that night.

‘‘The runners looked better than in previous years,” Tetervin said. ‘‘The breeze went up and runners looked really good this year. There was another fellow who finished the race who was told he would never walk again, and he ran the whole 8K.”

Tetervin said there has been one other death in the 23-year history of the race and that was about 20 years ago. The conditions have been ‘‘in the black” before, with temperatures too high for runners, and the race has been cancelled.

The annual race and post-race festival raises money going for the Rockville Recreation Fund, which allows low-income children in Rockville to attend recreation programs free of charge. Tetervin said more than $1 million was raised in the history of the event.

A City of Rockville spokeswoman said the festival portion of the race continued as regularly scheduled.

Piringer said those who may have symptoms of heat exhaustion should get out of the heat, loosen tight clothing and drink cool water, about half a glass every 15 minutes. Symptoms include feeling cool or moist, pale skin, dizziness, nausea and weakness.

Heat cramps, described as painful muscle spasms, can be relieved by stretching the muscle, Piringer said.

In the event of a heat stroke, immediately call 911, Piringer said. Symptoms include red, hot and dry skin, weak pulse, rapid breathing and changes in consciousness.

Piringer said fire and rescue officials were called to one other minor heat-related incident over the weekend at a lacrosse tournament Sunday at the SoccerPlex in Germantown.