Chris Gleason Passed Away Today

Coach Patrick

 Holy shit I have no words to even write this. I can't even see the keyboard. I just heard from a mutual friend that Chris Gleason passed away today, competing in the Philadelphia Marathon. He was in the last 1/4 mile, undoubtedly making a push for a personal best finish, when he had a heart attack. He is survived by his wife (Jenny?) and two children...a total tragedy.

As soon as I know more, I will pass it on to all of you. Chris was a real presence on the Team. One of our founding members, almost every one on the Team has spoken to him at one point in time. 

As soon as I have more information I will pass it on. For now, folks are leaving messages on his Facebook page here.

If any of you need to talk, please feel free to call me anytime: 617 513 3830

Patrick

GMAN 19030

Wow. That hits home real hard.

Norton

What? Stunned.

jhbinsc

I can't imagine. oh his family...

Swoodowrth

So shocked thinking and praying for his family

Michele Cellai

Oh, this is so sad. Speechless..

Linda Patch

Chris emailed me just last night with links and ranking of my college son's swimming times. "Dude," I said, "you have a marathon tomorrow. What are you doing looking up swim times?" But that is the Chris I got to know and call my friend. Sharing our excitement, and the joy and craziness of all this that we love to do. This man should not be gone from this planet. My heart is just broken.

Tom Glynn

Pretty unbelievable. All round nice guy. Really glad to have gotten to know him through EN

Keith Wick

I feel so sad for his family. It's just not something they should be going through. Chris was very helpful & would tell it straight forward whether you liked it or not. He was a loyal member of this haus. I just can't believe he's gone. The knot in my stomach just won't go away.

Trent Prough

Just a cool guy. Always checked in with me when going through cancer, treatments, and training (ALWAYS PUSHING ME) and that's what I liked about him. No bull with him, would tell ya how it was and always in fun and thoughtful at the same time. Like Linda-- should not be gone. Just can not beleive still.

Carrie Chavez

I love Chris G. That is the phrase that I keep saying over and over in my head. I know he knew it too. That was the kind of friendships he had. Real ones. He just loved Steve and I and was always so supportive. He liked to say he wanted to be like Mr Chavez when he grew up. Always complimenting us. We had planned to see him at Boston where he was going to come to cheer us on and he was going to watch a bunch of us race IMMT next summer. I am in total shock.

The love he showed us he also showed to all the athletes here. Selfless with sharing his wisdom and experience.

What I love most about Chris was his love of his wife and babies. He always referred to them as his babies. I used to tell him that all the time.

Chris G- you will be missed my friend.

Love you!!

Dave Tallo

This is so tragic. My heart breaks for his family.

Kathy N

Sheryl just told me....speechless...how does this happen???  My heart breaks for his family.....

steveperx

I logged in to see updates for our Arizona peeps. Never expected this. I met Chris in person at Placid last year, but we had spoken online a few times over the years before that. I'm heartbroken. RIP, Chris.

Chris M.

Wow.  What a terrible tragedy.  He was one of the "big guns" from our November OS last year, always pushing us.  He once told me to "ride so hard that when you get off the bike your legs are shaking."  Thinking of his wife and two small kids.

Paul Takac

Just unbelievable. I'm stunned - and can't even imagine what his family is going through. What a great guy... always ready with a smile and a smart remark. After IMLP this year, we all sat around having a beer and laughing about his run at Syracuse when he finished so fast despite a huge, bloody gash on his knee... freaking out the spectators and volunteers. So sad and sick right now...

William Jenks

You feel so compelled to say SOMETHING even when it feels like there's nothing you can say.... so sad.

Cary Blanco

Very sad, tragic, Chris was a great guy!

Sue Chapman

Don't have any words ... just sadness.

Kevin Walter

This is just horrible. It is hard to know what to say. Chris and I had so many wonderful discussions through EN. He encouraged me to race up Whiteface on my bike, experiment with cyclocross, and race XC-skiing. The day before IMLP we were hanging out as he was getting ready to race and the day after when he PR'ed. It is a double crush, because I know him not only through EN, but also through our mutual friends who are the founders of Hannah's Hope. They are devastated too.

astokes30

I read about this right after it happened and it saddened my heart...and that was before I knew he was an EN team member! Shocked. Praying for his family and friends. Wow. May he rest in peace...

gilliatt

Horrible news very sad. We've lost a good, smart, hard working, and fast dude.

Nemo Brauch

Shocked an in tears. Chris was quite simply one of my favorite people in this world. Someone who could slap you up side the head with a smack of reality while simultaneously making you laugh at yourself. I simply don't know how to process any of this right now.

Endurance Nation has lost a little part of it's soul today.

Barbara Spitler

Terrible loss of Chris. Prayers for his family, and all who called him 'friend'. Unbelieveable...

MattAaronson

It is just so shocking this happened to such a talented and accomplished athlete. This is so tragic and sickening. I cannot imagine what his family is going through. My thoughts are with them.

liebs45

Chris I don't know what to say I started crying when I heard the news. I was there man. I knew 2 people died. I had no idea it was you. I'm so upset. I finished so slow, I had assumed you were already out drinking and I was already cringing at the funny and witty lines and crap you were going to give me We were going to have lunch in the city soon. You were a great friend and teammate, and the most amazing Ironman athlete I had the privilege of knowing. To honor your memory and contributions to our team, I will always strive to race as hard and intense as you did. The world lost one of the good guys today. Please Rest In Peace knowing how much you are cared about and missed. PS - and you also helped me believe that, and learn how that, *I* could do this. You helped me become me. I will never forget you.

Derek

just found out from my sister.  Had to text her 3 times to confirm that it was ENs Chris Gleason.  First ENer i met after joining the team, and made me feel right at home.  My sincerest condolences go out to his family. 

Bill McKinney

Really, really sad to hear this news. Chris was such a positive force. I'll never forget seeing him on the run at IMLP. I was struggling to keep going, and I saw him coming toward me. He was on his way to a great finish, and no doubt suffering mightily. I was probably ~2 hours behind him, but he gave me a big smile and a shout of encouragement. Can't believe he's gone. Prayers for all those that are left behind. What a terrible tragedy!

cariesumida

So terribly tragic, I'm still in disbelief.  I was just looking through some pictures form IMLP 2011 the other day.  Prayers to his family.

Yasko Howell

I am in shock and saddned. My prayers and thoughts are with his family.

timdawg7

Unbelievable...RIP. Thought and prayers to his family.