A DISTRICT nurse has died after falling ill while having completed less a mile of a gruelling nightime 10 mile cross country race.
Emergency crews were called to the Mighty Deerstalker event in the Scottish Borders after 48-year-old Heather Foggo became unwell while wading through water just before 6pm on Saturday.
An on-site medic and an off-duty paramedic attempted CPR on the woman on the banks of the River Tweed, near Innerleithen Bridge, before an ambulance arrived.
Entrants watched as the casualty was wrapped in a silver foil blanket by first-aiders at the scene.
It is understood Ms Foggo, from Morpeth, Northumberland, had travelled to the event with a group of friends she met at a boot camp.
It is understood she died en route to Borders General Hospital.
Friends and relatives told of their horror at what happened.
Sharon Hetherington said: “I just feel sick. Can’t eat. Devastated.”
The event, billed as the UK's biggest night race, was being held at Innerleithen in Tweeddale.
One runner who witnessed the incident said: "It was weird. It was only 0.8 miles in and the water she was in was only knee high.
"It was scary stuff as she had just set off in the wave before us. She wasn't doing anything strenuous at all really. It must have been an underlying issue."
Police searched the water and sealed off an area with tape as the race continued.
One onlooker said the race was not stopped and the after race party continued with many unaware of what had happened.
A spokesman for organisers Rat Race Adventure Sports, said: "We are extremely saddened to confirm that a participant in our Mighty Deerstalker event passed away yesterday.
"The participant became unwell at 5.56 pm, approximately one mile into the event, close to our event control station and at the location of one of our safety marshals.
"A member of our medical team was on the scene within three minutes as we implemented our response protocols.
"They were assisted by an off-duty paramedic until the arrival of the Scottish Ambulance Service.
"Tragically, we have since learned that the individual passed away en route to hospital.
"Rat Race Adventure Sports will give full assistance to the appropriate authorities.
"Our heartfelt thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of the deceased."
The event, now in its 11th year, sees hundreds of participants tackle off-road terrain while wearing head torches.# Around 1,000 thrillseekers are understood to have taken part in the endurance trail where runners tackle hills, mud and water hazards.
Entrants are not allowed to race unless they bring a torch, and event organisers keep the race distance a secret from those running.
On its website, the organisers state: "The Mighty Deerstalker is as tough as it gets; hills, mud, swamp, darkness, rivers, obstacles and always devilishly vague on the true distance, this event never disappoints but it often hurts."
A Police Scotland spokesman said: "Police in the Scottish Borders responded to a report of a woman having taken unwell during a sporting event near to Traquair House, Innerleithen at 6.15pm on Saturday March 11.
"The 48-year-old was treated by the Scottish Ambulance Service and was taken to Borders General Hospital. However, she passed away while en route.
"Inquiries are continuing, however there appear to be no suspicious circumstances surrounding this death and a report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal."
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