A 19-year-old long-distance runner, Bhupendra Devli, tragically passed away on Wednesday morning after suffering a cardiac arrest while training for a marathon near Bhowali Road in the Nainital district. The incident occurred around 5:30 AM.

According to Vivek, a 20-year-old friend who was training with Bhupendra, they were increasing their pace near the Kailakhan area when Bhupendra suddenly collapsed. Vivek immediately took Bhupendra, who was unconscious, to Tallital via a roadways bus and then arranged for a car to transport him to B D Pandey Hospital in Mallital. Unfortunately, Bhupendra was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital.

Ramesh Bora, the Tallital Station House Officer (SHO), confirmed that the body had been handed over to Bhupendra's family after a post-mortem examination. Initial reports suggest that a massive cardiac arrest was the cause of death, and the outcome was worsened by delayed medical intervention.

Bhupendra was pursuing an MCA degree at Pal College in Haldwani and was well-known among his peers for his dedication to long-distance running, often participating in local marathons. He is survived by his parents and two siblings. His father, Nandan Singh Devli, is employed by the state forest department.

This tragic event highlights a recent increase in incidents of young people experiencing sudden cardiac arrests in Uttarakhand. While sudden cardiac deaths associated with marathon running are rare, this is not an isolated incident. In April 2025, two young runners in Oregon also died after completing half marathons, both appearing to suffer unexplained cardiac arrests. Matteo Cruz, 23, collapsed shortly after finishing the Eugene half marathon, and Camryn Morris, 19, died after finishing the Corvallis half marathon. Both were rushed to hospitals but could not be saved.

These incidents raise concerns about the underlying causes of cardiac arrest in young athletes. While the risk of sudden cardiac death is low, it is still a reality. A study mentioned that the risk of dying from cardiac arrest during marathons has decreased by half in the last decade, but the risk remains higher for older runners, especially those over 50. Underlying heart conditions are also a major factor in these events.

The news of Bhupendra Devli's death has sent shockwaves through the running community. The focus should be on identifying and addressing prodromal symptoms and ensuring access to rapid defibrillation and trained medical staff. Despite the risks, endurance running has significant health benefits. Regular vigorous exercise improves the quality of life and longevity.