TikTok Influencer Passes Away After Completing Disneyland Marathon Amid Heatwave

Bobby Graves, 35, died over the weekend after competing in Disneyland’s Halloween Half Marathon.(calebgtravels | Instagram)

Caleb Graves, a popular TikTok influencer, tragically passed away shortly after completing the 2024 Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon. The 35-year-old experienced a medical emergency upon crossing the finish line of the 13.1-mile race.

According to a report by Entertainment Weekly, Graves suffered cardiac arrest immediately after finishing the marathon. Sgt. Matt Sutter, a public information officer for the Anaheim Police Department, stated, “The runner crossed the finish line. As soon as he did, one of the workers at the marathon noticed the gentleman was clutching his chest. They noticed he was going into cardiac arrest.”

Despite the swift response from emergency personnel, Graves was pronounced dead approximately an hour later at a nearby medical center. The incident occurred around 7:00 AM.

Disneyland Resort spokesperson Jessica Good expressed condolences, saying, “We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss, and our hearts are with Caleb’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

The day before the marathon, Graves shared his concerns about the intense heat in California with his 19,000 followers on his TikTok account, @calebgtravels. He mentioned feeling “marginally worried” about the race due to the high temperatures. “I went outside today around 2:00—which is probably the hottest part of the day—and it was 90-something degrees,” he said. “I was outside for like 20 minutes, walking my dog, and it was hot, but I felt fine … and then like 10 minutes after I got back in, I just passed out. I just fell asleep—no control over my body. It was heat exhaustion, it’s only happened once to me before,” he added.

Graves hoped to “get through the race tomorrow morning,” despite the challenging weather conditions. The Weather Channel reported that temperatures exceeded 100 degrees (37.7 degrees Celsius) on each day of the marathon event. However, Sgt. Sutter noted that the race took place early in the morning, not during “the full heat of the day.”

“I’ve spoken to medical professionals who say that one or two cardiac events can happen during a big race like this. But the deaths are rare,” Sutter added.

Graves was well-known for his informative videos on Disney movies and parks. He was also a litigation associate at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, a firm representing “technology pioneers.”

The Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon Weekend is part of the ongoing runDisney program, which includes various marathon races at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. The next marathon event is scheduled for January 30 through February 2, featuring a 5K, 10K, half-marathon, and a kids’ race.

In a TikTok video posted the day before his death, Graves recounted his experience with heat exhaustion after walking his dog. “I really hope I get through the race tomorrow morning,” he said at the end of the clip.

The Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Department is currently investigating the exact cause of Graves’ death, as it remains unclear if the heat played a direct role.