Heart Problem Killed Dallas Marathon Runner

Heart inflammation is the cause of death

The Dallas medical examiner ruled that heart inflammation killed a North Texas man who collapsed after crossing the finish line at the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon in Dallas last month.

The report said Mark Austry died of myocarditis, an inflammation of a heart wall that is caused by a viral infection.

Austry collapsed and died after finishing a 13.1-mile run benefiting the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

"We high-fived, (and) he got a glass of water,” Michael Austry, Mark's brother said during an interview last month, “I turned around and just missed catching him; he was out.”

The 32-year-old former Red Raiders athlete from Lantana, Texas, lettered in baseball at Texas Tech from 1998 to 2000. He also played for the Fort Worth Cats minor league  team.

Mark Austry is survived by his wife and two daughters, ages 1 and 3.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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