On Sunday February 6, 2011 in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California,Peter Hass lost his life at the finish line of the Kaiser Permanente Half Marathon .   Peter may or may have not been saved, but the time it took to get life saving equipment and medical transportation to him at the finish line, sealed his fate.

Boycott all future RhodyCo organized events.  Demand Kaiser find a new race organizer. The lack of medical emergency support and preparation demonstrates deep negligence on the part of RhodyCo Productions, and in part, Kaiser Permanente, to safely put on an event of this size and distance.

RhodyCo claimed there was no delay in providing medical attention to Peter Hass and that the event was adequately supported but that is not true, here are the facts!

1) The event medical team did NOT attempt to resuscitate Peter Hass but instead 4 runners who are medical professionals administered the CPR.

2) The emergency medical tents were too far from finish line and inadequately supplied.  In RhodyCo's own words: "Emergency medical technicians based at two tents near the finish line were on the scene and trying to help Hass within five minutes."  Moreover, there were numerous instances of runner's vomiting after crossing the finish line.  At no point were runner's in such a state met with medical aid.

3) RhodyCo claims that the ambulance it provided was tied up with another runner in need.  There was no back-up ambulance and no back-up plan, which according to SFFD officials is expected for such events of this magnitude. 

4) Witnesses had to call the SFFD to respond with emergency services because there was no immediate response by race officials. In the words of Rob Dudgeon, deputy director with the San Francisco Department of Emergency Services " 'We had a death at a race, and we had the city's 911 system pulled in to provide medical assistance,' Dudgeon said. 'So I'd say that the assets dedicated to the race were insufficient. We are investigating.'"

5) It took more than 20 minutes for life saving medical equipment and transportation to arrive at the finish line.  Had the equipment been at the finish line, Peter Hass might have been saved.

This situation cannot happen again. RhodyCo has demonstrated its inability to sufficiently anticipate and ensure the safety and medical needs of event participants.  Boycott RhodyCo and demand that Kaiser find a new race organizer.