Runner Suffers 'Cardiac Issues,' Dies During Half Marathon Just Before 2nd Anniversary with His Male Partner

Tragedy struck a half marathon event in Minneapolis last weekend when a 27-year-old man identified as Blake Groulx collapsed and died just a couple of miles from the end of the course.

Local newspaper the Minnesota Star Tribune reported that others at the event - including a physician - saw the young runner "stumbling" before his collapse, the New York Post relayed.

"We were trying to give him the best chance of survival. He looked like a fit person, not someone you would think this would happen to," Dr. Katherine Katzung, the doctor who administered medical attention to Groulx at the scene, told the Star Tribune.

Despite attempts to save him, Groulx was pronounced dead at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. His passing took place only 10 days before he and his partner, James - described as the "love of his life," according to the Post - would have celebrated their second anniversary.

"Groulx was a native of Midland, Mich., who moved to Minneapolis in 2020 when starting a new career at General Mills," the Post detailed.

An Instagram post from June on Groulx's account showed Groulx and others celebrating Pride-related activities that seemed to be related to General Mills, with a rainbow-themed Wheaties cereal box mockup that declared "Champion Pride Together" and a Cheerios-themed poster emblazoned with the words "Love is love" in the Cheerios font.

Another snap showed Groulx and others posed with transgender actor and memoirist Elliot Page. Another photo showed Groulx and James sharing a kiss.

A post from Sept. 18, 2023, marked the couple's first anniversary. "365 days of smiles, laughter, and adventures with my best friend👨🏼‍🤝‍👨🏻🫶🏼," the post said. "I love you," the post added, addressing James.

"He was the straw that stirred the drink, that energized the crowd, but that somehow made each person feel seen, heard, special, and loved," Groulx's obituary recounted, before adding that Groulx "was passionate about and actively involved in... General Mills's LGBTQ+ employee network."

His obituary went on to describe Groulx's active life and community engagement: "Blake's love language was quality time and in countless ways he created memories with his family and friends whether it was through his cooking, sibling book club, community service, hiking, camping (preferably in the Fall due to the decreased likelihood of bugs), tennis, pickleball, running, traveling, hanging out at the cottage, or game nights."

Run Minnesota posted a Facebook message in which the organization expressed grief at Groulx's sudden death and extended "our heartfelt gratitude to the participants on the course who came to the aid of a fellow runner and the first responders and medical professionals who provided medical care."

"Groulx's family is asking any donations in his honor be directed to the non-profit 'The Bridge for Youth,'" the Post said, naming a shelter for young people, "or the American Heart Association."