I didn't blame it on people being out of shape. They're not prepared for the distance.
And yes- if you could stand in the halls of a typical high school you'd see many overweight teens eating horribly unhealthy food. Yes, they're clogging their arteries. It's not cruel, it's reality.
People have been getting vaccinated since (1800 or so?). I was vaccinated at 5 for school- about 5 vaccines.
I went back to grad school at 37 and the college made me get vaccinated all over again.
I got the Covid vaccine and the booster and so did most everyone else.
Thankfully, deaths among runners in a race is rare. Death in general happens to all of us.
I have a family member who died at 47 from a heart attack- he was NOT active.
I'm 63 and very healthy- I've been vaccinated and I run. I've been running since I was 12.
My doctor says that with my family history this is what has kept me active and alive.
Bottom line- people should not be running longer races without the background and mileage.