A runner died over the weekend after competing in the Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon amid Southern California's triple-digit heat wave.
At about 7 a.m. Sunday, the man crossed the finish line of the race clutching his chest. A volunteer caught him before he collapsed, according to Anaheim Police Sgt. Matt Sutter.
“Anaheim Fire and Rescue personnel arrived on scene immediately and began administering life-saving measures and transported him to the hospital,” Sutter said. “Unfortunately, they worked on him for about an hour and pronounced him dead at the hospital.”
The Orange County coroner’s office confirmed the identity of the jogger, Bobby Graves, 35, who lived in Garden Grove. Graves, who used his middle name, Caleb, was an avid fan of Disney theme parks and had a large following on social media under the username @calebgtravels, where he shared his passion for the franchise with more than 20,000 people on Instagram and TikTok.
According to Sutter, Graves had no known medical conditions prior to his unexpected death. He was also an experienced long-distance runner who dedicated a portion of his online videos to reviews and advice for other runners looking to participate in Disney road races. Prior to his final race, Graves had competed earlier this year in Disney World’s marathon and half-marathon races, as he did in 2023.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss and our hearts go out to Caleb’s family and loved ones during this difficult time,” Disneyland Resort spokeswoman Jessica Good said in an email.
In 2019, another runner died during a race at Disneyland. The individual collapsed while running in the Walt Disney World Wine & Dine Weekend 5K Half Marathon.
Disney did not respond to questions from The Times about what precautions were taken to prevent heat exhaustion during this weekend's Halloween Half Marathon.
A day before the event, Graves took to TikTok to share her concerns about the heat wave with her followers.
“I was outside for like 20 minutes walking my dog,” Graves said as he filmed himself lying under a blanket and resting on a pillow. “Ten minutes later, when I came back, I passed out.” Graves noted that he grew up in Texas and was used to the warm weather of his home state, but “UV exposure with the Southern California heat is a beast in itself.”
“I really hope I can get through the race tomorrow morning,” he added.
Graves grew up in Stephenville, Texas, and studied biology at the University of Texas at Austin before earning his law degree from Georgetown University. According to the Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati directory, Graves was a litigation associate at the law firm and was based in Century City, where he specialized in intellectual property, digital media and entertainment, and trademark and copyright infringement.
“We were informed today that Caleb Graves passed away. His many friends and colleagues at the firm mourn the loss of a stellar person and attorney,” Wilson Sonsini said via email. “Out of respect for his family’s privacy, we have no further comment at this time.”
Graves has also been involved in creative work. She wrote a collection of poems, “Love, and Other Love,” and directed two short films in 2022, “Bingo Queen” and “Magic Hunt.”
Family and friends took to Facebook to share their condolences as they mourn his passing.
“He will surely be missed,” one user posted, asking that the Graves family be given “the space and opportunity they need to make the next arrangements necessary for such an incredible loss.”
