Brandt's OK after Taking Tumble (Updated)

Prominent M50-54 runner Barry Brandt took a nasty fall on Sunday during the Lisle Spring Sprint 10K, but he is OK. Brandt, who lives in Villa Park and runs for the Elmhurst Running Club, was in second place overall around 4.5 miles when he fell on a slippery bridge. He said he hit his head and blacked out, and was in an ambulance for 45 minutes but was not taken to a hospital. Initially on Sunday, he said he ended up with a slight concussion, bruised rib and a face he said makes him look "like I got in a fight." He says everything is stiffening up, but he'll be all right. However, after seeing doctors on Monday morning, things were worse.

Here are Barry's own words:
"I just got back from four hours in emergency. Here is the list: severe concussion, three broken ribs, partially collapsed left lung, can't tell if wrist is broken so in a splint. The good news is my face has no fractures which they were sure would be the case. The doctor said that if it would have happened on concrete instead of asphalt or if I hit a curb it could have killed me. I go to a lung specialist on Wednesday to find out how long until I can run. Being injury free lasted about a month!"

Yes, runners can fall and get hurt. Remember Robert Cheruiyot falling at the finish of the Chicago Marathon?

As for the Lisle race itself, Don Whipple, 30, of Bolingbrook, whom Brandt was chasing, was the 10K winner in 35:31.4. Angel Saenz, 41, of Franklin Park, was second in 38:50.5, and Eric Wedow, 51, of Batavia, was third in 38:51.5. Angela Kidd, 33, of Clarendon Hills, was the women's champion with a 40:17.7. Christina Sliepka, 19, of Oswego, was next in 40:44.0, and Lisa Teunissen, 31, of Belvidere, was third in 42:40.5. In the 5K, Nathan Kennedy, 24, of Bolingbrook, won in 16:55.9, with Jason Moderi, 36, of Naperville, taking second in 17:51.4, and Ray Heriaud, 34, of Oswego, placing third in 18:22.8. Janeth Salazar, 42, of Naperville, was the women's winner in 19:57.2. Second went to Tammy Kalbaak, 29, of Dubuque, IA, in 21:36.3, and third went to Jamie O'Connor, 33, of Naperville, in 22:40.9.

Photo of Barry was taken at the Westchester Veterun last November.