He wanted to finish the 26.2-mile race in less than four hours and 30 minutes, a time that would be more than 30 minutes faster than his 2022 run, when sweltering heat made it hard for him to race to his full potential. Griffin was relieved that heat wasn't going to be an issue for the 2023 race.
It was a crisp fall morning when the 48-year-old walked to the start line. The race took off and Griffin stuck with his friend and training partner as they ran through the streets of Richmond, Virginia. Griffin had trained hard for the run, diligently logging long runs on the weekend, and he felt that work pay off.
As the miles flew by, he kept feeling great. Every mile was under his goal pace. His goal time was in sight.
And then, just after mile 13, he said to his friend, "I don't feel good." Seconds later, he collapsed. Griffin's heart had stopped beating.
He was in cardiac arrest. Another runner sprinted to his side and started performing CPR. As an emergency room nurse practitioner, she quickly understood what was happening and what needed to be done.
Two runners just ahead heard people calling for help and ran back. One was a third-year medical student, the other an oncology nurse who had just renewed her CPR training. The nurse practitioner organized the team of responders into a rotation so everyone stayed fresh while administering compressions.
A cardiologist who was also running hurried over and joined the effort. A nearby police officer radioed in a call for help. Ten minu.
