Man dies of heart attack in Hood to Coast race

PORTLAND - A Beaverton man suffered a heart attack and died during the Hood to Coast relay on Saturday, the first fatality in the 19-year history of the race.

Klaus Rohde, 49, collapsed while running his second 5-mile leg, said Peter Bellant, deputy state medical examiner. Medics responded after witnesses called 911, but they were unable to resuscitate the man.

Rohde had participated in the relay every year of its existence, friends said.

He had just begun his second leg with a combined Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve team when he collapsed, said Marcus Holling, team captain.

His wife, Leslie Rohde, said he had suffered chest pains during a recent run, but doctors examined him and found no heart problems. He had been a runner for more than 30 years, she said.

Rohde also is survived by three children, ages 17, 13 and 11, his wife said.