Athlete, 20, dies throughout sporting occasion as group left heartbroken ‘surprising dying’
A 20-year-old biomedical engineering student and keen runner has died after suffering three cardiac arrests while competing in a half marathon
Juliana Ávila Saouda, 20, has sadly died(Image: Jam Press)
A 20-year-old student runner tragically died after suffering a triple heart attack during a half marathon.
Juliana Ávila Saouda suffered the medical emergency while participating in the Medellín Marathon in Colombia on September 6. The biomedical engineering student was running the event’s 13-mile (21km) half marathon when she suddenly collapsed.
Federico Gutiérrez, the mayor of Medellín, revealed that Juliana endured three cardiac arrests and was resuscitated on each occasion. She was swiftly taken to Hospital General de Medellín but sadly passed away at around 6:30pm the next day, as reported by NeedToKnow.
Juliana Ávila Saouda had three heart attacks while running the half marathon(Image: Jam Press)
Over 30,000 people participated in the event. Juliana graduated from the Anglo Colombian School in 2024 before enrolling as a biomedical engineering student at the University of the Andes in Bogotá.
In addition to her main studies, she was also studying financial administration. An avid runner, Juliana had previously completed the Allianz 15K in Bogotá and the Women’s Race in Madrid.
Mr Gutiérrez disclosed that he knew Juliana and had been in touch with her family following her collapse. He said: “Juliana, 20 years old, had three cardiac arrests. I was in contact with her family, praying for her. It was a very complex situation.”
Juliana Ávila Saouda’s death has left the community heartbroken(Image: Jam Press)
He later added: “It saddens me greatly that in such a beautiful event she had a serious health problem: three heart attacks and three resuscitations. She was well treated at the General Hospital. Sadly she is no longer with us.”
Juliana was the partner of Julián Restrepo Céspedes, the eldest son of Vice-President José Manuel Restrepo.
President Abelardo de la Espriella stated: “I support with deep sorrow the family of Juliana Ávila, our vice-president, his son Julián and all their loved ones in this painful and unexpected departure. Saying goodbye to a young woman full of life and dreams deeply moves the soul of the nation.”
Medellín city council also observed a minute’s silence in memory of Juliana. A second participant, described as a middle-aged man with epilepsy, reportedly had a seizure during the event and was stabilised.
No official post-mortem cause of Juliana’s death has yet been disclosed. Her death was reportedly the fourth linked to the city’s 21km race in eight years.
