Shanghai education authorities have said long-distance races will not be canceled after a local college student died after completing a 1,000-meter running test.

The man, in his early 20s, is a student from Shanghai Donghua University. He collapsed at the finish line of a 1,000-meter running test at the school on Tuesday and later died in hospital.

Also on Tuesday, a 25-year-old man who collapsed after taking part in a marathon in Guangzhou, Guangdong province on Nov 18, died in hospital.

The same marathon had already claimed the life of a 21-year-old college student, who died of cardiogenic shock on Nov 19.

The reason for the Shanghai student's death has not yet been released, but doctors said most sudden deaths are caused by heart-related problems.

The city will hold its annual Shanghai International Marathon this Sunday, but the deaths of the three men, has raised questions about the necessity of long-distance races in schools.

Local Chinese media reported that Donghua University has postponed its 3,000-meter on-campus race due to the student's death.

Officials from the Shanghai Education Commission said they will not cancel long-distance running due to one individual case in the school.

"Long-distance running is a basic sports activity for students in school. Students should establish a healthy lifestyle and be encouraged to do more exercise," an official said.