Within the days main as much as final weekend’s Brooklyn half marathon, State Assemblyman Michael Novakhov’s workplace reached out to organizers of the race and Mayor Adams’ workplace to induce enhanced warmth precautions with forecasted temperatures within the 80s.
Novakhov’s staffers instructed the occasion organizers they thought that was vital this 12 months, as a 30-year-old runner died from heat-induced cardiac arrest throughout the 2022 Brooklyn half-marathon, when temperatures hovered round 70.
Adams’ workplace and the opposite primary organizer, New York Highway Runners, assured Novakhov’s workforce their present protocols had been ample and had been primarily based on greatest practices.
So when tragedy struck Saturday with the demise of 31-year-old Charles Rogers, Novakhov was livid. Rogers, a Manhattan resident, died after going into cardiac arrest as he was working on Ocean Parkway close to the mile 8 mark of the half marathon route.
Novakhov, whose district contains the part of Ocean Parkway the place Rogers collapsed, blasted Adams’ workplace and Highway Runners for waving off his workforce’s proposals to put in extra water and cooling stations alongside the route and deploy extra aggressive warmth advisories to runners.
“They did nothing and that is very sad,” he mentioned.
New York State Assemblyman Michael Novakhov speaks at a information convention held on eighth Ave. in Sundown Park, Brooklyn, on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022 in New York. (AP Picture/Stefan Jeremiah)
Temperatures within the metropolis reached a excessive of 81 final Saturday. It’s unclear if Rogers’ cardiac arrest was heat-related, and the town Medical Examiner’s Workplace mentioned Thursday they’re nonetheless reviewing the demise.
Ted Metellus, Highway Runners’ chief occasion manufacturing officer, argued Novakhov is mistaken in his view.
Metellus mentioned half-marathon organizers positioned water stations about each 1.2 mile alongside the route as a result of that’s thought of greatest apply within the trade, citing recommendation from Highway Runners’ personal medical specialists and the Adams administration. Having them nearer collectively might lead to runners over-hydrating, which might make them sick, Metellus mentioned.
“We are impacted by our running community’s loss and are in support of Charles’ family and loved ones,” mentioned Crystal Howard, Highway Runners’ chief communications officer. “It is disappointing that it would be leveraged inaccurately in this way, as we take the health and safety of our participants very seriously.”
Howard additionally defended Highway Runners’ advisories, together with textual content blasts issued to runners when the race was underway notifying them circumstances had worsened and that they need to “slow down and prepare for warmer conditions.”
Minnesota defensive again Charles ‘Ace’ Rogers performs towards TCU throughout an NCAA faculty soccer sport, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015 in Minneapolis. (AP Picture/Paul Battaglia)
Novakhov’s workforce had requested warmth warnings be issued to runners straight by way of textual content within the days earlier than the race, however Howard mentioned that’s not greatest apply, both, and famous all mass communication protocols and different public well being precautions across the race had been developed with the mayor’s workplace.
Adams’ workplace didn’t return a request for remark.
“We believe stronger action is warranted [this year] given the forecast and the tragic precedent in 2022,” he wrote. “For context, in 2022 the race saw 15 cardiac-related emergencies and one fatality — a healthy 30-year-old. We want to do everything possible to avoid a repeat.”
Runners cross the end line on the enduring Coney Island boardwalk throughout the 2025 RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon on Could 17, 2025 in New York Metropolis. (Michael Nigro/Sipa USA)
In response, Highway Runners representatives wrote their present plans for 10 fluid stations alongside the route had been ample and added “all heat-related protocols are coordinated in partnership with our Medical Director, FDNY and the Mayor’s Office.”
Rogers, who lived on the Decrease East Facet and was a College of Minnesota soccer participant, leaves behind a spouse, Sydney Rogers.
“Charlie and Syd lived a very active and healthy lifestyle making this tragic event especially unimaginable,” reads a GoFundMe arrange for the widow that had raised practically $60,000 as of Thursday morning. Sydney Rodgers declined to remark Thursday when requested about Novakhov’s requests for extra precautions.
The annual Brooklyn half marathon goes from the highest of Prospect Park to the Coney Island boardwalk. Along with Rogers and Reichman, one other 31-year-old runner died from cardiac arrest throughout the 2014 Brooklyn half marathon.
With Emma Seiwell and Thomas Tracy
Initially Printed: Could 22, 2025 at 2:51 PM EDT
