Out-of-state athlete competing in Muncie Ironman race dies

A doctor from Kansas died after competing in Muncie’s Ironman 70.3 triathlon at Prairie Creek Reservoir this past weekend.

In a statement on social media, the Ironman team said an athlete required medical attention during the swimming portion of the triathlon, then was transported to the hospital.  The statement says he died on Monday.

Neither Ironman nor the City of Muncie identify the man.  But his hometown paper, the Iola Register, identifies him as Dr. Eric Wolfe, a family physician from Hollister, Missouri.

The Register says the cause of Wolfe’s death hasn’t yet been released.

In a statement, the City of Muncie, which has hosted Ironman races for more than 40 years, said it is proud to host the event and is grieving with the entire community.  Thousands of athletes typically come to Muncie to compete.

Read More: Muncie signs for more years of Ironman races

CORRECTION: This story has been corrected to reflect that Hollister is in Missouri, not Kansas.

Stephanie Wiechmann is our Managing Editor and “All Things Considered” Host.  Contact her at slwiechmann@bsu.edu.