‘Sometimes you have to be brave’: Runners raced to help man who collapsed during Nashville marathon
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Editor’s note: This story has been updated.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A 26-year-old Nashville-based chef died Saturday as thousands participated in the St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series marathon in downtown Nashville.
Authorities said Joey Fecci was 3 hours and 49 minutes into the race and was in the Shelby Park area when he collapsed.
About five people running the marathon changed course and raced to Fecci’s side, doing chest compressions and giving rescue breaths. One of those Good Samaritans included Erin Watson.
Watson, a physician from Massachusetts, said she was on track to complete her personal best time in the marathon; however, she knew helping Fecci was a more important matter.
“His life is worth more than my PR,” said Watson.
She said the group did all they could before medics arrived.
“The other lady who was doing rescue breaths with me, I gave her a hug because we were all kind of crying,” said Watson. “Sometimes you have to be brave.”
She said she stayed until an ambulance arrived for Fecci and then completed the race, embracing others who witnessed his battle.
“Everybody tried so, so hard to keep him,” said Watson. “It didn’t matter who the person was, you know. We don’t know him.”
“He was a treasured son, brother, boyfriend, and friend to so many,” Fecci’s family said in a statement. “He leaves behind a broken family that loves him so very much.”
Fecci was also an accomplished chef, most recently working at Yolan, which is a fine-dining restaurant located at The Joseph hotel in downtown Nashville.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former team member, who was an integral part of Yolan,” The Joseph team said in a statement. “Our hearts and thoughts are with his family and friends.”
A GoFundMe has been created in Fecci’s honor, establishing a culinary scholarship. To donate, click here.
“This scholarship will support aspiring chefs who wish to follow in Joey’s footsteps and carry on his legacy of culinary excellence,” states the GoFundMe.
No additional details about the circumstances surrounding this incident have been released.
