It seems strange that a young, fit marathon runner could die during a race. Is this a rare occurrence? Should runners be concerned about doing a marathon?
The death rate for marathons is 1 in 50,000 finishers, said Dr. William Roberts, medical director of the Twin Cities Marathon and president-elect of the American College of Sports Medicine. And for younger runners, the risk is even lower, more like 1 in 200,000 finishers.
What serious health problems can arise?
The most common health threats to marathon runners are cardiac problems, heat stroke and hyponatremia, or a low sodium level, Roberts said. Younger people who die during marathons generally have some congenital anomaly of the heart, he said.
Chris Troyanos, medical coordinator for the Boston Marathon, said weather and temperature dictate the kind of casualties that the staff sees during a race.
He said it’s vital for marathon runners to be familiar with what their bodies need in terms of fluid and nutrition.
What are the benefits of marathon running?
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Lower blood pressure, lower risk of heart disease and improved mental state are among the health benefits. You can get some of the same payoffs by running shorter distances too. “Training for a marathon goes beyond what’s needed for health benefits,” Roberts said.
But as long as you’re not getting hurt and ignoring warning signs, such as extreme fatigue or chest pain, “it’s a fine activity,” he said.
Troyanos said: “The overall benefits of marathon running outweigh the risks that we’re talking about.”
What signs should tell you to stop running?
Chest pain or pressure, unusual shortness of breath, fatigue that is greater than you are used to, dizziness, dry mouth, vomiting.
“It’s critically important to listen to your body,” Roberts said.