Widow of `Extreme Rampage` Runner Sues Race

Feb. 18--A Western Kentucky woman has filed a lawsuit in Lexington, alleging that negligence by multiple defendants led to her husband's death during an extreme sports event in March 2013.

The lawsuit was filed in Fayette Circuit Court by Casey Arnold as administrator of the estate of her husband, Chad Lee Arnold, who collapsed and died during the Extreme Rampage run and obstacle race at the Kentucky Horse Park on March 2, 2013.

Casey Arnold also is acting as guardian of the couple's child, Miles Arnold.

The lawsuit says Chad Arnold, 33, collapsed during the race and died after the defendants allegedly failed to provide emergency medical treatment for "at least 10 minutes."

According to a Herald-Leader story last March, Chad Arnold ran in the race with his wife and another couple. They weren't very far into the race when Arnold collapsed.

The event required competitors to negotiate various challenging obstacles, including crossing two mud pits, climbing a 10-foot wall, diving into a dumpster filled with ice water, and crawling through tunnels.

The lawsuit says a Rampage website stated that an ambulance and paramedics would be available at the race for emergencies. The Arnolds relied on that statement when they signed up for the race, the lawsuit says.

It alleges, however, that the various defendants did not have "policies, procedures or standards" in effect for medical emergencies at the event.

The defendants failed to "resuscitate or perform reasonable and proper lifesaving medical treatment or protocols for a least 10 minutes" after Arnold's collapse, the lawsuit alleges.

Defendants include Rampage LLC, which organized the race; Mediport LLC, which provided emergency medical services for the event; and Christopher Johnson, an official with the Rampage organization.

Other defendants are Fitness 19; TMAC LLC, doing business as No Guts No Glory; J&H Lan-Mark Inc.; Title Boxing Club; Sportsman's Warehouse; Complete Nutrition; Catbird Printing; and Central Kentucky Motorsports.

The various defendants promoted and helped register participants for the obstacle race, according to the lawsuit.

Alleged negligence by the defendants was the "proximate and/or actual cause" of Arnold's death, the lawsuit claims. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and punitive damages, and asks for a jury trial.

Jim Warren: (859) 231-3255.

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