This past Sunday, Disneyland’s Halloween Half Marathon was marred by tragedy as 35-year-old Bobby Graves, known affectionately by his middle name Caleb, collapsed shortly after crossing the finish line. Participating amidst a severe heat wave gripping Southern California, Graves clutched his chest and fell, caught just in time by a vigilant volunteer, according to Anaheim Police Sgt. Matt Sutter in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. Despite his seasoned experience, having completed marathons at Disney World earlier this year and in 2023, this run unfortunately became his last.
In a foreshadowing TikTok video posted just a day before his death, Graves candidly shared an incident of heat exhaustion from a recent dog walk, expressing his concerns about the upcoming race. His heartfelt words and later loss resonated deeply with his 18,000 followers. Fans and friends flocked to his social media, sharing condolences and reflecting on his vibrant life and passion for both running and Disney theme parks.
Disneyland Resort spokesperson Jessica Good conveyed the widespread sorrow in a statement to KTLA: “We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss, and our hearts are with Caleb’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.” Graves, beyond his online presence, was also a dedicated litigation associate at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati.
The runDisney community has now faced two such tragedies in recent years. In 2019, another runner passed away during the Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World. These stories underline the importance of health and safety in such events, especially given the unpredictable nature of California’s weather, which is expected to bring some relief from the current heat wave midweek.
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Source: Iman Palm
