Scott Ellis, a veteran competitor in the Leadville Trail 100, died of an apparent heart attack聽during Saturday鈥檚 race, according to the .
Ellis lived in Johnstown, Colorado, and was taking part in the Leadville Trail 100 for the 19th time, . The 55-year-old was ascending the course鈥檚 Power Line climb, near mile 82, when he collapsed, . Fellow competitors called 911 and performed chest compressions until help came. Efforts to revive him were unsuccessful, and he passed away before the ambulance arrived.
Gale Bernhardt, a longtime friend of Ellis, said she had gone on 125 consecutive monthly trips to Estes Park with Ellis.聽
鈥淪cott was probably one of the most honest and trustworthy people that I know,鈥 Bernhardt told the Coloradoan. 鈥淗onestly, he used to tell me and other people聽that if he got to choose how he鈥檇 want to die, he鈥檇 want to do so doing something he loved.鈥