health
Woman dies while competing in 250-mile ultramarathon in Arizona
Updated on: May 7, 2026 / 8:52 AM EDT / CBS/AP
TL;DR
- A participant in the Cocodona 250 ultramarathon in northern Arizona died on Tuesday.
- The woman, in her 40s, experienced a medical emergency and collapsed at a trailhead.
- Race organizers confirmed the death and requested privacy for the family.
- The event intends to continue the race in the runner's honor.
- Ultramarathon deaths are rare, though the sport has grown in popularity worldwide.
- The Cocodona 250 is described as one of the toughest ultramarathons in the U.S.
- Organizers are moving to a lottery registration system due to the race's popularity.
- Previous incidents of runner deaths in extreme conditions were mentioned, including one in China in 2021.