Montreal marathon race director resigns in wake of runner's death

The race director and producerof both the Oasis International Montreal Marathon and Ironman Mont-Tremblant has announced his resignation, three days after a 24-year-old half-marathon participantcollapsed and later died.

In hisletter of resignation, made public late Wednesday, DominiquePichwrote that he is leaving the position because of the "unfortunate events" during Sunday'smarathon.

The racebegan 50 minutes late due to a lack of staff to secure the course.Pichpublicly apologized for the delay on race day.

Then Patrick Neely, 24,collapsed about two kilometres from thefinish line of the 21.1-kilometre race. The Quebeccoroner's office has launched an investigation into his death.

According to Radio-Canada sources, an ambulance was requested at least four times before first respondersarrived,25 minutes after Neelypassed out.

Radio-Canada has ascertained that the runner collapsed at 9:38 a.m.Urgences-sant says itreceived the call at 9:55a.m. First responders then arrived eight minutes later by which time a full 25 minutes had passed.

Pichwrote that he accepts full responsibility for what happened, saying that his resignation stems from his "desire to be accountable."

The Florida-based Ironman Group, which also owns the Rock'n'Roll Marathon series to which the Montreal marathon belongs,issued a news release Wednesday thankingPichfor his years of service.

On Thursday, there was a new twist in developments, whenthe groupLes vnements sportifs Mont-Tremblantissued its own news release, sayingit wished to "reaffirmits trust" in Pich's leadership.

"Dominique has shown great skill at organizing a race series that has earned worldwide acclaim. He eagerly shares his passion, thoroughness and savoir-faire, and the event has turned into the huge success it is today," said board chairPatrice Maloin a statement.

"As a result, he will remain executive producer of the IRONMAN 5i50/SPRINT, IRONMAN 70.3 and IRONMAN Mont-Tremblant,"Malosaid.

The group said Pichwill stay on as executive producer of the Mont-Tremblant eventbut will no longer serve as race director.

Half-Ironman death also rocked triathlon world

Pich, a former Montreal police officer, has been producing sports events for more than 15 yearsand has been involved with the Canadian Ski Marathon, the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, the Ottawa Marathon and the Montreal Police Bike Tour.

He'd organized the triathlon in Mont-Tremblant, in Quebec's Laurentians, since 2004, and he played a central role in persuading the Ironman Group to expand into eastern Canada in 2012.

Last June, Florida triathlete Jill Levy Morris died during theIronmanMont-Tremblant 70.3event.

While race organizers initially posted a brief statement saying she haddied "after suffering a medical event" during the race,CBCNews reported that 46-year-old Levy Morris had, in fact, died of injuries suffered when she was crushed under the wheels of a support vehicle.

'Sad day fortriathlon community'

For many, the loss ofPichas director of the Montreal and Mont-Tremblant events would marka "really sad day for the triathlon community in Canada."

Kevin Mackinnon, editor of Triathlon Magazine Canada, said thatPichis "second to none around the world" in terms of what he's done for the sport.

"Dominiquewas one of these people who was just determined to put on an amazing race and do everything to ensure that the athletes had a fantastic experience," saidMackinnon.

He added that he was saddened to hear of the man's death during the Montreal marathon and suggested that "if stuff went wrong, it was not for lack of preparation and effort."