BUENOS AIRES (AFP) - A man in Argentina's second largest city, Cordoba, dropped dead on Sunday just after receiving his prize for winning a half marathon, organisers said.

Ezequiel Ponce, 27, collapsed after receiving the award after he beat out 500 rivals to take the prize, in a 21km race organised by a company and Cordoba's city hall.

"We had three ambulances here. One was close by, but the doctors were unable to revive him," said Mr Jacinto Prado, a spokesman for organisers.

He said doctors said Ponce expired due to sudden death syndrome.