The news that Adam Nickel died after completing the Little Rock Marathon because of the confluence of an extremely rare and difficult-to-detect medical condition and very unlucky timing gave race director Bill Torrey closure, but no comfort.
Nickel, 27, a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin, finished 18 th in the March 2 race after completing the 26. 2 miles in 3 hours, 2 minutes, 26 seconds, which is considered an elite time. He had a heart attack at the finish line and died moments later.