'My heart just stopped': B.C. runner seeks redemption after heart failure at 2019 finish, pandemic postponement in 2020
The last time the starting gun fired for the Royal Victoria Marathon, Jason DeRuiter ran the best marathon of his life, and then nearly lost it.
On Thanksgiving long weekend in 2019, DeRuiter, a Nanaimo man in his mid-40s, crossed the finish line of the marathon often referred to as the Good Life Marathon.
Noticing something was off, he stumbled into the medical tent and crumpled to the ground.
"My heart just stopped,” said DeRuiter.
His cardiac trouble was serious, but also happened in the most ideal place for his survival.
A doctor from the Royal Jubilee hospital happened to be volunteering at the time and quickly began life-saving measures.
According to DeRuiter, his heart stopped for seven minutes, effectively leaving him dead for the short window in time.
"My last memory was about halfway through the race, and then three days later when I woke up in Royal Jubilee,” DeRuiter told CTV News Vancouver Island.
Following a battery of tests, his doctors were left with few concrete answers.
His medical team didn’t know why his heart failed at the finish line, but were seeing him gain strength.
After the drama of the heart-stopping finish, race organizers made a special visit to his hospital bed to deliver his race medal.
Holding it, Jason knew he had to race again, but the pandemic would soon step in his way.
Redemption would take longer than the Nanaimo runner thought. Two years, to be exact, but his time has come.
The Royal Victoria Marathon will be the first premier race to return amid the continuing pandemic.
"There is no normal about this year. After 20 years, I think this is the hardest one,” said race director Cathy Noel.
The race’s return comes in the form of a half-marathon, as the full version posed too many road-closure and health-related issues.
Still, organizers say despite some changes, the marathon’s ethos is the same.
"Running is a big community, so seeing people come together, that is what this is about,” said Noel.
This Sunday, DeRuiter will lace his runners tight and pound the pavement in an official marathon for the first time since his hospital stay.
"It's just a celebration: that races are happening, for being back, and that I can even do sports,” DeRuiter said in a FaceTime interview.
You can probably expect the Nanaimo runner to put down a good time Sunday morning.
Two years ago – despite dropping to the ground, his heart stopping for seven long minutes and spending several weeks in hospital – DeRuiter crossed the finish line with a fast enough run to qualify for the Boston Marathon.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Toronto Maple Leafs fire head coach Sheldon Keefe
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
'We can and we must do better': First ever Air Accessibility Summit hits Ottawa
Federal ministers, airline executives and members of the disability community are gathering in Ottawa today for the first ever Air Accessibility Summit.