John Berman Hospitalized After Running Boston Marathon, Returns to CNN ‘Extremely Unfulfilled’ But Grateful to Be Alive

John Berman returned to CNN’s New Day on Monday equipped with the story of how running in the Boston Marathon landed him in the hospital for three nights.

“I didn’t win and I didn’t finish,” Berman said of the race, which he ran for “Team Beans,” raising money for Dana Farber in memory of Francesca, the late daughter of his CNN colleague Andrew Kaczynski.

He recalled being 24 miles into the marathon and feeling “terrific.” But that’s the last thing he remembers before waking up in an emergency room. Berman did make it to an emergency tent at mile 25, but he has no recollection of it.

“Frankly, it does leave me feeling extremely unfulfilled. I’m not gonna lie, it kinda sucks. What doesn’t suck is being alive, and there was a bit of time last Monday where I wasn’t sure that was a given,” Berman said before fully detailing the story.

He explained that after reaching the emergency tent, an ambulance was called as his temperature was high and his heart rate accelerated. He said he does not recall being put in an ambulance or being driven to the hospital.

So apparently I had 25 GREAT miles…I say apparently because it seems I took a bit of a detour to the medical tent…and then the hospital. I don’t exactly remember what happened…but I am doing MUCH better now. Back to work soon!

I was honored to run 25 for @TeamBeansFund. pic.twitter.com/tV3MoVDCpI

— John Berman (@JohnBerman) April 18, 2022

“The most important parts I don’t remember,” he said, adding he was “disoriented and confused” at the hospital, unable to recall his or his wife’s phone numbers.

Berman’s temperature was eventually brought down using ice water and by putting him on an IV. He suffered a heatstroke, which caused rhabdomyolysis, or decaying muscle tissue, in his system.

The CNN host came up with his own nickname for rhabdomyolysis, calling it “Rambo, because it makes me sound butch.” After three nights in the hospital and lots and lots of water, Berman was released. He said there will be no long term effects.

Despite not completing the race, Berman raised more than $36,000 for Dana Farber.

He finished his return segment by asking for donations, and by revealing he likely won’t be hitting the pavement anytime soon.

“Hopefully, we don’t need to talk about this anymore or go running for a long, long while,” he said.

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