All exercises increases one's chances of death while they're doing it. Though two deaths at a marathon is unusual, we should expect more deaths at a mass exercise event than at other mass public events. We don't hear as much about people dying while exercising on their own or while doing other strenuous tasks. Of course, a marathon is very stressful, but we shouldn't overstate the danger.
This is why marathons should have a four hour cutoff. If you cannot complete a marathon in under four hours, then you shouldn't be running a marathon. You are not fit enough! You have not done the work.
No more inspirational influencers.
No more human interest and feel good fodder for local TV stations and run blogs.
No more talented age-group runners getting shut out of big events because walkers, charity newbs, tourists, and seven-star aspirants filled the field.
One of the runners was within 100-200m from the finish and around the 3:25 pacer when he collapsed. He was treated immediately by EMS, however it took a long time for an ambulance to actually take him away. The weather and conditions were ideal on Saturday.
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This is why marathons should have a four hour cutoff. If you cannot complete a marathon in under four hours, then you shouldn't be running a marathon. You are not fit enough! You have not done the work.
No more inspirational influencers.
No more human interest and feel good fodder for local TV stations and run blogs.
No more talented age-group runners getting shut out of big events because walkers, charity newbs, tourists, and seven-star aspirants filled the field.
cut off time should be double the time of the winners time (some courses might be hilly)
One of the runners was within 100-200m from the finish and around the 3:25 pacer when he collapsed. He was treated immediately by EMS, however it took a long time for an ambulance to actually take him away. The weather and conditions were ideal on Saturday.
My thoughts go out to family and friends of these runners.
When I hear about a running tragedy (or cycling, motorbiking, weightlifting)... hobbies of mine) I ask myself what can I learn from this tragedy.
Deaths like this one are often heart related. Several years ago I decided to get a comprehensive heart checkup, including some tests that I had to pay for out of pocket. I now have most of these tests done every year and see a cardiologist twice a year. He has identified a couple of problems that we are addressing: one we have corrected and the other we are managing.
I'd urge everyone to have a complete heart checkup, especially if you're over 50 and have not already done so. In fact, I'm going in for a battery of tests tomorrow.
This post was edited 38 seconds after it was posted.
Just saw a cardiologist for the first time, I'm not young but not old. He told me that when he visits nursing homes, the 80+ crowd has ~four times as many women as men. Said that much of that difference is due to heart problems. Get your heart checked.
Long distance running is not healthy, overstimulates and stresses hormone levels.
Drills, strides, sprints, jumps are healthy,
The only reason to run long is to be fast and competitive. Runners the world over do not do propper warmups, active stretches, drills and strides. You can see the lack of mobility in local races, which does not exist at the elite levels.
My thoughts go out to family and friends of these runners.
When I hear about a running tragedy (or cycling, motorbiking, weightlifting)... hobbies of mine) I ask myself what can I learn from this tragedy.
Deaths like this one are often heart related. Several years ago I decided to get a comprehensive heart checkup, including some tests that I had to pay for out of pocket. I now have most of these tests done every year and see a cardiologist twice a year. He has identified a couple of problems that we are addressing: one we have corrected and the other we are managing.
I'd urge everyone to have a complete heart checkup, especially if you're over 50 and have not already done so. In fact, I'm going in for a battery of tests tomorrow.
Real quality post here. I’d add that a complete heart checkup should include an echocardiogram and a stress test. Not just an EKG
I've known a couple of people that have dropped dead while running. One fairly closely, another more of a friend of a friend. I don't know their exact diets, but I think it's fair to say runners tend to overlook what they're eating and how it relates to general health because they're not confronted with a large number on the scale on a daily basis. A poor diet will wreak havoc on the heart over time no matter how much you run. Add significant stress to an already compromised heart and it can be disastrous. Even for someone that "appears" healthy. So yes, get your heart checked.
All exercises increases one's chances of death while they're doing it. Though two deaths at a marathon is unusual, we should expect more deaths at a mass exercise event than at other mass public events. We don't hear as much about people dying while exercising on their own or while doing other strenuous tasks. Of course, a marathon is very stressful, but we shouldn't overstate the danger.
Excellent tip. Deaths during marathons in the US are something on the order of 1 in 500,000. There are hundreds of marathons in the US where no one dies. Having 2 in one is incredibly rare (1 is exceedingly).
This is why marathons should have a four hour cutoff. If you cannot complete a marathon in under four hours, then you shouldn't be running a marathon. You are not fit enough! You have not done the work.
No more inspirational influencers.
No more human interest and feel good fodder for local TV stations and run blogs.
No more talented age-group runners getting shut out of big events because walkers, charity newbs, tourists, and seven-star aspirants filled the field.
Many people who die during a marathon are on pace to finish faster than 4 hours so I am not sure that policy would reduce the risk. The risk is about 1 in 500,000 and has been that risk for a very long time even as marathoning spread beyond "fast runners".
My thoughts go out to family and friends of these runners.
When I hear about a running tragedy (or cycling, motorbiking, weightlifting)... hobbies of mine) I ask myself what can I learn from this tragedy.
Deaths like this one are often heart related. Several years ago I decided to get a comprehensive heart checkup, including some tests that I had to pay for out of pocket. I now have most of these tests done every year and see a cardiologist twice a year. He has identified a couple of problems that we are addressing: one we have corrected and the other we are managing.
I'd urge everyone to have a complete heart checkup, especially if you're over 50 and have not already done so. In fact, I'm going in for a battery of tests tomorrow.
Real quality post here. I’d add that a complete heart checkup should include an echocardiogram and a stress test. Not just an EKG
Counter: you are using a lot of resources to find exceedingly rare occurrences of things. The time and staff it takes to perform a GXT (what a "stress test" is really called) is pretty high. The test itself can last around 15 minutes with prep and transition to the next client adding in more time. When I was performing them in grad school each one took about an hour with 2 staff and a cardiologist "supervising" (he was in the building and available).
Doing that for people who are not showing any indications of an issue to catch that 1 in 500K is a huge waste of resources and could delay someone in higher risk of getting screened.
If you have some sort of indicator, then by all means, but the idea that everyone should get a time intensive and costly screen is bad economics.