Tragedy in Ninja race
Race organiser Dwain Swiegers confirmed that Dean Dickenson died within the first 10 minutes of the race.
Tragedy struck the extremely popular Zulu Ninja Race at Sugar Rush Park over the weekend when an athlete died during the event.
The Zulu Ninja Race is a combination of cycling, running and an obstacle course, with participants getting the chance to take part in any of the three disciplines.
Race organiser Dwain Swiegers told the Courier that Dean Dickenson – a man in his forties – died within the first 10 minutes of the race, apparently of a heart attack.
“Our passion is health and fitness, so when a terrible thing like this happens it hits us hard,” said Swiegers.
Despite suspicions that there were no marshals etc on the course, Swiegers said they had 26 marshals on the day, of which 16 were out on the course.
“We also had paramedics on site and sweepers out on the course to make sure nobody was left behind.”
It was not one of the marshals who found Dickenson though, but rather a woman who had been walking her dog on the track.
The woman apparently came upon his body and used his cellphone to contact his last called number.
“Our sincere condolences go out to Dean’s family and friends,” said Swiegers.
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