A heart-wrenching tragedy has struck Disneyland’s “Halloween Half Marathon” this past Sunday. Bobby Caleb Graves, a 35-year-old TikTok content creator known for sharing his travel adventures and love for Disney parks on his page Calebgtravels, collapsed and died just after crossing the finish line. Graves, who went by his middle name Caleb, expressed concerns about the extreme Southern California heat—a scorching 108 degrees Fahrenheit in Anaheim on Sunday—just a day before the race.
In a TikTok video posted the day before the event, Graves candidly shared his apprehensions. “I was outside for like 20 minutes walking my dog. Ten minutes later after I came back in, I just passed out,” he said, attributing it to heat exhaustion. Despite growing up in Texas and being acclimated to hot weather, he noted that “the UV exposure with the heat in Southern California is its own kind of beast.” Tragically, his hope to get through the race was not realized.
Anaheim Police Sgt. Matt Sutter reported that Graves had no known medical conditions and was an experienced long-distance runner who often offered marathon advice to his audience. Even with Anaheim fire and rescue personnel on the scene immediately, lifesaving efforts for about an hour after transporting him to the hospital were unsuccessful. Graves was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
The incident underscores the brutal and record-breaking heat wave that hit Southern California, with temperatures in nearby areas like Los Angeles and Burbank reaching all-time highs. Disney fans across the globe, alongside the Disneyland Resort spokesperson Jessica Good, expressed their profound sadness over the loss. “We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss and our hearts are with Caleb’s family and loved ones during this difficult time,” Good told the LA Times.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of taking heat-related warnings seriously, especially during strenuous activities. Our thoughts are with the Graves family and the entire Disney community in this difficult time. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments, and let’s support one another through this heart-wrenching loss.
Source: Graig Graziosi
