Longtime Ironman competitor dies a week after crash during Tennessee race, family says

Irene Wright
·2 min read
1

A lifelong athlete and longtime Ironman competitor has died after he was hurt during a race in Tennessee, his family said.

Marshall Martin, 58, was competing in the Ironman 70.3 Chattanooga on May 21 when he crashed during the biking portion of the race, Ironman confirmed. The Ironman 70.3, a half distance of the famous triathlon, also includes running and swimming.

“During the bike portion of the event in Walker County, the athlete required and was provided immediate medical care from local authorities and emergency services working the event before being transported to a nearby hospital for further treatment,” a spokesperson for Ironman told McClatchy News in an email.

The crash occurred near Highway 193 and Georgia Highway 2, WTVC reported.

Martin suffered brain bleeds, a broken collarbone and eight broken ribs from the crash, according to a Caring Bridge page created by his family.

His family said he underwent an emergency craniotomy to try and stop the swelling in his brain and was placed on a ventilator.

“Marshall has been an avid triathlete for 30+ years and lives his life through moving and empowering others to do the same,” his family wrote on Caring Bridge. “Marshall is a loving husband, father, brother, friend, teammate and leader.”

Martin, a North Georgia native, was excited to come up to Chattanooga to compete, his friend said.
Martin, a North Georgia native, was excited to come up to Chattanooga to compete, his friend said.

Martin passed away from his injuries on Memorial Day, his family announced.

“Marshall has finished his last race and crossed that final Ironman finish line. He received his final finisher medal with his entrance into Heaven,” his family said in a May 29 Facebook post. “This was his best race by far and he definitely saved the best for last!”

Martin was always excited to come back to Chattanooga to see old friends and race together, Martin’s high school friend Ryan Shrum told WTVC.

“You know, the bike course actually went really close to the neighborhood he grew up in, in North Georgia,” Shrum told WTVC.

Marshall, left, was a lifelong triathlete, and would compete with his older brother Chig, right.
Marshall, left, was a lifelong triathlete, and would compete with his older brother Chig, right.

Martin’s brother, Chig, shared photos on Facebook of his little brother on May 29, encouraging others to take advantage of the time you have with loved ones.

“Love to you all, don’t put things off you have wanted to do, make those changes, buy that car, go on that trip, life is short,” he wrote. “(Marshall) went out doing what he loved to do, he was (a) lucky man for that. Give somebody a hug today and tell them you love them!”

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