An 18-year-old teen in Missouri died suddenly after finishing a half marathon last week. His family is now raising funds to cover his memorial service.
Rudy Zevallos Jr. died Saturday after he finished the 13.1-mile half marathon in Waynesville, organizers from the Frog Hill Half Marathon wrote on a Facebook post. It was unclear whether he passed away immediately after crossing the finish line.
The exact cause of the 18-year-old's death was also not clear at the time of the posting. The organizer noted that his body temperature "reached a fatal level," which caused his heart to stop. The Pulaski County Coroner's Office is expected to release the official cause of death in six to eight weeks, as reported by USA Today.
"Remarkable Friend and Son"
Zevallos, who turned 18 in August, was a senior at Lebanon High School, which is currently offering services to support staff members and students possibly affected by Zevallos' sudden death.
Organizers said the 18-year-old planned to graduate in December and join the Marine Corps, following in the footsteps of his father Rudy Zevallos Sr.
The organizers called the teen a "remarkable friend, student, brother, and son." The 18-year-old was also described to be a competitive and determined student who read the Bible and books about investing and self-improvement.
Outside of education, Zevallos often hiked with his girlfriend and worked at a local drive-thru coffee shop. He was also said to be passionate about fitness, training in jiu-jitsu and wrestling, and playing football.
Furthermore, Zevallos ran track throughout middle and high school. He joined the half marathon with a goal of finishing the track within two hours. The teen reached the finish line in an hour and 58 minutes.
Starting a GoFundMe
Following his death, the teen's family launched a GoFundMe campaign with the goal of raising $11,000. The money would be used for Zevallos' memorial service. As of Thursday, they raised $29,303 from 280 donations.
"Junior was loved by so many and his loss is a devastation for everyone. His mother Stephanie, Father Rudy, older sisters Iyleena and Lorraina, and future brother in law Jaron, ask for prayers and we ask you cherish the memories you have with him," the campaign read.
