A memorial open house for Fritz Kauffmann will be held, Friday, Dec. 28 (Fritz's birthday) from 5-9 p.m at 802 Elden Drive in Cary.

Kauffmann, 62, died from an apparent heart attack while participating in the 50K portion of the Sunmart Texas Trail Endurance Runs on Dec. 9.

He was a former president of the Cary Grove Hillstriders (late '80s) and race director for the Cary Grove Half Marathon (early '90s).

He had completed between 25-27 miles of the 31-mile event when he suffered the heart attack.

Runners provided CPR, but due to the remote location of where he was (in regards to the rest of the course and the finish line) it's estimated that it was a hour before medical attention could reach him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Kauffmann had completed more than 100 marathons and several ultramarathons.

Kauffmann was a person who truly loved running, and his life revolved around it. He had moved from Cary to Madison, Wis., about four years ago, and then to Texas a year ago. While in Madison, he was a member of the Madison Hash House Harriers. His nickname was "way too soon."

The name proved to be too ironic.

(Information courtesy of Runner Triathlete News, based in Houston, and Cary Hillstriders Running Club)