Off-Duty Nurse Practitioner Leaps Barricade to Save Marathon Runner in Cardiac Arrest

What began as a celebratory day quickly turned critical when a runner collapsed near the finish line of the Akron Marathon. Dan Molnar, a nurse practitioner with Summa Health, wasn’t scheduled to work—but his training and instincts kicked in when they were needed most.

Molnar was waiting to cheer on his fiancée, Shea Levi, as she approached the final stretch of her first full marathon on Sept. 27. Just 30 seconds from finishing, another runner collapsed near Lock 3 Park.

“I turned back around and saw medical staff already assessing him. I heard them say he is not breathing, he does not have a pulse,” Molnar told reporters.

Quick Action at the Finish Line

Cell phone footage shows Molnar leaping over two barricades to reach the unresponsive runner. He immediately joined on-site medical teams in performing chest compressions.

“I want to help people, so if there’s a time where I can use my skills, I want to do it,” Molnar said.

He performed CPR for several minutes. The runner’s pulse briefly returned but stopped again, prompting Molnar to resume compressions. Eventually, the runner regained a steady pulse and began trying to sit up.

“That kind of lets us know he had his pulse back for good,” Molnar said.

Rapid Response from Crowd and Medical Teams

Witnesses praised the swift response from Molnar, the Akron Fire Department, and the Summa Health medical team.

Kayla Green, who was waiting at the finish line for her husband to complete his first marathon, saw the moment Molnar stepped in.

“From the corner of my eye, I saw a man jump over two barricades in a white shirt and I was like, what’s going on? And I looked over and there was no hesitation. He started CPR,” she said.

The emotional weight of the situation was felt by everyone nearby. Green described how nervous the crowd was and how powerful it was to see the runner wake up.

“You could just feel the emotions from everybody around because everyone was so nervous, just the excitement of seeing him awake and everybody clapped. I felt like I could breathe for him,” she said.

Molnar’s actions can be described as heroic, but he downplays the praise.

“I don’t feel like I’m a hero at all. I’m just happy that I was there. I feel like I did what any other healthcare person would do,” he said.

The runner was transported to the hospital and is currently recovering, according to a joint statement released by the Akron Marathon, Akron Fire Department, and Summa Health.

“We are grateful to all first responders, medical staff, volunteers, and bystanders whose quick actions and compassion made a difference,” the statement said.

The runner’s family also released a statement, thanking everyone involved—especially “the person who jumped the fence and started CPR.”

Why CPR Training Matters

Molnar, who works in Summa’s Critical Care Unit, said this was the first time he had to perform CPR outside the hospital. In the ICU, Molnar's department, it's unfortunately a daily occurrence.

“In the hospital, only about 20% who come in with a cardiac arrest and need CPR make it. It’s amazing that he came back,” he said.

He used the experience to encourage others to take CPR training seriously. It could be your loved one or someone else’s, and getting certified could help save a life. 

Despite missing his fiancée cross the finish line, Molnar said he wouldn’t have done anything differently. Levi, also a nurse practitioner, was understanding and proud.

“She would’ve done the same thing,” he said.

Pictured: Dan Molnar with his fiancée and fellow nurse practitioner, Shea Levi, celebrating her completion of the Akron Marathon.

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