MADISON, Wis. — An athlete died during an Ironman triathlon in Wisconsin on Sunday, the Dane County Sherriff’s Office confirmed in a statement Monday. 

Dax Bakken suffered a “medical event” during the bike section — the second leg of the Ironman race — in Cross Plains, Wis. He was 51 years old.

An off-duty police officer and an Ironman staff member provided “immediate medical attention” to Bakken until EMS arrived at the scene. EMS transported him to a local hospital, according to the sheriff’s office.

Bakken, who was from Madison, Wis., was pronounced dead at the hospital. He left behind a life partner, Kristin Keir, and three children. He and Keir have an 8-year-old daughter named Maeve. Bakken also has two sons named Finn and Liam.

According to a GoFundMe page, Bakken had always dreamed of completing an Ironman triathlon. Ironman Wisconsin was a full Ironman triathlon race distance, which includes a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile run. The event took place Sunday, Sept. 10 in Madison, Wis. 

The GoFundMePage, which has a goal of raising $100,000 for Bakken’s family, said he had recently received a master’s degree. He was the primary breadwinner; his partner works as a part-time hospice nurse. Bakken was a military veteran and served in Desert Storm. 

Ironman released the following statement about Bakken’s death:

“It is with profound sadness to confirm the death of a race participant during Sunday’s IRONMAN Wisconsin triathlon. A race staff member and an off-duty police officer providing race assistance identified the athlete in need of support while on the bike portion of the course. They provided immediate medical attention before EMS transported the athlete to a local hospital where the athlete sadly passed. We share our deepest condolences with the family and friends of the athlete and will continue to offer them our support as they go through what is a very difficult time. We thank event personnel and first responders who worked to provide the athlete with medical support.”