From cardiac arrest to finish line: A runner’s remarkable return to Richmond Marathon
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- David Griffin is lacing up his running shoes once again, this time to finish what he started. A year after his heart stopped in the middle of the Richmond Marathon, Griffin is returning to the race that nearly claimed his life. This time, it’s not just about crossing the finish line — it’s about survival and redemption. Griffin’s story is one of resilience. Last November, while running over the Belvidere Street Bridge, he suddenly collapsed. The cause was a heart attack, and if not for the quick action of bystanders and first responders, Griffin’s story may have ended there. CPR was administered at the scene and he was rushed to the hospital, where doctors fought to save his life. “It’s been one heck of a year, but I’m feeling good now,” Griffin said, reflecting on the tumultuous journey of recovery. Following the life-threatening incident, Griffin underwent open-heart surgery and spent months recovering physically and mentally. The road to recovery was challenging, with his body pushing back at every turn. "Your heart’s really mad after having surgery, and your lungs get collapsed. It’s not fun," he said, describing the intense rehabilitation process. But Griffin’s determination has been unwavering. This Saturday, he'll join thousands of runners as they take to the streets of Richmond for the city’s biggest marathon to date. For Griffin, this race is about more than just completing 26.2 miles — it's about completing a journey he was forced to leave unfinished. “I don’t want to put any of those doubts in my head that I’m lesser now, having had this happen to me,” Griffin said. “Pushing myself to get through this and get it done is a huge personal goal. Achieving that is going to leave me in a good spot.” Griffin said he feels a mix of nervousness and excitement as he prepares for tomorrow’s race. As he approaches the very spot where he collapsed last year, he knows it will be an emotional moment. "At the end of the day, I've been working towards making sure that, you know, I don't end up feeling like I couldn't do it, there's things out there I can't do," Griffin said. "I'm not going to be as fast as I was, I know that but I'm going to get it done." Tomorrow, as thousands of runners take off in Richmond’s marathon, Griffin will be among them, not just to run, but to show that even in the face of overwhelming adversity, perseverance can lead to victory.
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- David Griffin is lacing up his running shoes once again, this time to finish what he started.
A year after his heart stopped in the middle of the Richmond Marathon, Griffin is returning to the race that nearly claimed his life. This time, it’s not just about crossing the finish line — it’s about survival and redemption.
Griffin’s story is one of resilience. Last November, while running over the Belvidere Street Bridge, he suddenly collapsed. The cause was a heart attack, and if not for the quick action of bystanders and first responders, Griffin’s story may have ended there. CPR was administered at the scene and he was rushed to the hospital, where doctors fought to save his life.
“It’s been one heck of a year, but I’m feeling good now,” Griffin said, reflecting on the tumultuous journey of recovery.
Following the life-threatening incident, Griffin underwent open-heart surgery and spent months recovering physically and mentally. The road to recovery was challenging, with his body pushing back at every turn.
"Your heart’s really mad after having surgery, and your lungs get collapsed. It’s not fun," he said, describing the intense rehabilitation process.
But Griffin’s determination has been unwavering. This Saturday, he'll join thousands of runners as they take to the streets of Richmond for the city’s biggest marathon to date. For Griffin, this race is about more than just completing 26.2 miles — it's about completing a journey he was forced to leave unfinished.
“I don’t want to put any of those doubts in my head that I’m lesser now, having had this happen to me,” Griffin said. “Pushing myself to get through this and get it done is a huge personal goal. Achieving that is going to leave me in a good spot.”
Griffin said he feels a mix of nervousness and excitement as he prepares for tomorrow’s race. As he approaches the very spot where he collapsed last year, he knows it will be an emotional moment.
"At the end of the day, I've been working towards making sure that, you know, I don't end up feeling like I couldn't do it, there's things out there I can't do," Griffin said. "I'm not going to be as fast as I was, I know that but I'm going to get it done."
Tomorrow, as thousands of runners take off in Richmond’s marathon, Griffin will be among them, not just to run, but to show that even in the face of overwhelming adversity, perseverance can lead to victory.
