Professor Rein Ahas dies after collapsing during Tartu Marathon
University of Tartu professor Rein Ahas, 51, died in the hospital after collapsing during the Tartu Marathon on Sunday, the university confirmed on Monday.
Ahas collapsed at the 34.5 kilometer mark of the cross-country marathon, between the Kuutse and Peebu checkpoints, reported regional daily Tartu Postimees (link in Estonian).
Attempts were made to resuscitate him and he was transported to Tartu University Hospital in critical condition, but doctors were unable to save him.
Ahas was a professor of human geography at the University of Tartu. He had also served as visiting professor at the University of Turku, University of Gent, and Umeå University.
His primary research topics included mobile positioning for studying and planning people's mobility, urban geography, environmental impacts, and seasons and climate changes.
Cross-country skiing was one of Ahas' hobbies. He was also known for his poetry and writing lyrics for the band Jäääär.
Editor: Aili Vahtla