Wisconsin Father of Four Dies After Collapsing Near Finish Line of First Half Marathon
John Meise, 36, received lifesaving care at the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon but was pronounced dead at the hospital.
A Wisconsin father of four died after collapsing near the finish line during his first half marathon at the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon on Sunday. John Meise, 36, was running the race when he collapsed shortly before 10 a.m., according to WISN.
Witnesses reported seeing EMTs providing Meise with lifesaving care approximately 600 feet from the finish line. He was subsequently transported to Froedtert Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office has stated that Meise had no known medical history and his cause of death is currently undetermined.
Meise, who had been running for six years, had completed several shorter races but Sunday marked his debut in a half marathon. He is survived by his wife, Lauren, and their four children: Mason, 11; Owen, 8; Lucy, 4; and Isla, 1.
His sister-in-law, Kristin Bennett, described Meise as someone who “made people feel welcomed, valued, and cared for,” and established a GoFundMe page to support his family. A friend, Stacy Horneck, also created a Meal Train account, remembering Meise as “the best Dad, and husband and best to everyone in his world.”
Meise held a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and worked as a brand and digital marketing manager for QuadMed.
Race organizers expressed their condolences to Meise's family and loved ones, emphasizing their commitment to participant safety. They noted that established medical and emergency-response protocols were in place during the event. This incident marks the first death in the 44-year history of the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon. The event saw a record field of approximately 8,000 participants across its various races, with around 6,000 competing in Sunday's events.
