NPR: Are Too Many People Trying to Run Marathons?

Are Too Many People Trying to Run Marathons?

Two people died in this year's Chicago marathon?

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We were standing at about mile 25, I think, somewhere along the leafy, green road that circles New York's Central Park. The crowd for the New York City marathon gasped, literally gasped, when this one poor guy trudged by.

His inner thighs were so chafed, you'd have thought they were painted red. It looked like he'd been gone over with sand paper or maybe cheese grater. But he looked otherwise in fine physical shape, a healthy specimen making his way methodically to the finish line. I'll bet he couldn't wear jeans for months.

Not long after, a middle-aged guy in a Mexico jersey puttered over to the rail, where his young nieces were calling to him and cheering him on. He stopped and chatted, not winded in the least, letting dozens and dozens of people finish ahead of him. And then he jogged on. I remember thinking that if I ever ran the race, I wanted to be that guy--comfortable, comfortable with my performance, loving it.

Statistics predict that eight people will die while running marathons in the United States this year. With the NYC marathon on Sunday, a cardiac specialist and marathon runner talks to us today about the race's toll on the body and whether too many people who aren't ready to run it are attempting the feat, anyway.

Laura Conaway

11:53 AM ET | 11- 2-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

There's no question that running a marathon without proper training is just plain foolish.

When Lance Armstrong ran the NYC Marathon last year, he was quoted as saying, "Even after experiencing one of the hardest days of the Tour nothing has ever left me feeling this bad...[it was] the hardest physical thing I have ever done."

Even though he was in terrific shape for cycling, he hadn't put in the necessary running miles.

I've run two marathons now, and I'd like to think I'll run one again. But you've got to train. And if necessary, you've got to stop. It's a serious business.

Sent by Sarah | 12:43 PM ET | 11-02-2007

There were very few facts in your story and nothing that indicated the reporters or expert were seriously trying to discuss the boom in marathoning in this country. The tip to see a doctor if you haven't worked out or if your over 40 being one such unresearched point. How many first time marathoners are over 40 - my research says most. Are the people who are dying in marathons? So is the take away that people are out of shape are dying? What about the famous runner Fix? And since the boom in running and only 8 people die - how does that compare to people who have a heart attack on the couch, mowing the lawn?

Sent by mary | 5:55 PM ET | 11-02-2007

Yet again, a cautionary tale about the dangers of running - this, even though, as a group, runners are in far better shape than the general population, generally enjoy running, and feel better when they run than when they don't. Eight people may die running a marathon? If 430,000 people run marathons in given year, that's a death rate of 0.00002%. That means a marathoner is more likely to be murdered than to die during a marathon.

Sent by Vic Mortimer | 9:33 PM ET | 11-02-2007

Any marathon running nbeeds proper trraining. I ran my 1st marathon at 41 in Chicago and have not looked back since, having run 18 more in 6 years, including 6 in one year. BUT, all needed training and each one is different - terrain, weather, the shape you're in etc. Most importantly you need to tune in to your body and while mind over matter is good, too much of it and not listening to your body can be bad. That may account for a couple of those 8 predicted fatalities in the US this year.
www.runningandliving.com gives several pointers to beginner runners and novice marathoners. Lets have more fun and fewer fatalities, ENJOY!

Sent by Rahul Verghese | 1:32 AM ET | 11-03-2007

As a marathon coach, my advice to runners is to pick a good training program. The program should be at least 4 to 9 months long. The longer programs give beginners time to build the necessary endurance to complete a marathon, and also build in recovery periods, as their bodies adjust to longer distances over time. The best program I've seen is the Honolulu Marathon Clinic, that's been going on since the 70's, and it goes on... and on.. and on... for nine months! Again the longer the marathon training program
the better.

Sent by Russ | 1:46 AM ET | 11-03-2007

Take it from a fat out of shape ex-fighter. there is no way i would run a marathon. Noway! to much traing

Sent by todd | 12:17 PM ET | 11-03-2007

well, i've run a bunch of marathons from paris to big sur (try that one!)... ya gotta train. even if you are trained, something can go wrong. stay in touch with your body, drink when you're thirsty and yum yum have some chocolate gu ~~ tastes like frosting & i never hit "the wall" any more. what a great invention.
today in the mail, i got my metal for #2 in a beautiful marathon through the redwoods in humboldt county , cali. my time was really dreadful! the older you get, the fewer in your class. keep it up~!

Sent by mercedes may murolo | 6:06 PM ET | 11-03-2007

Absolutely. At one time the marathon was considered a serious competition for people who had trained for years and were extremely fit. Now it is a social gathering of people with their water belts, gels, tech gadgets etc. Many of these people have everything but fitness.

I would like to see strict performance standards to enter the marathon. If people want to do their silly jog/walk routine they can do it any day of the week anywhere they want.

While even highly trained athletes can suffer a tragic death as evidenced by yesterday's US Olympic Trials, unfit people are putting themselves at serious risk.

Sent by Ken | 7:24 AM ET | 11-04-2007

High number participant marathons are often so because of first timers and/or are part of charity fund raisers. Often the 1st timers have little race event experience and lack a sensible build up to the marathon distance. Going from couch to marathon in under a year and doing a marathon without the experience of a number of 10 k races or a half-marathon race is not sensible Doing a half-marathon training run is not the same as doing a race. Proof of completing a half-marathon or 30k race as a condition of registration to a marathon may be the route to go. This may not reduce the miniscule chance of death for the participant but it will help control the size of races, reduce the complaining by unhappy participants when they contributed to the problem (don???t bellyache to the race director until you???ve been a race director) and maintain the respect the marathon deserves.

Sent by N H MacKay | 1:00 PM ET | 11-04-2007

Troponin is not an enzyme, it is a a structural protein complex comprised of three proteins. A very small amount is found in the liquid portion of the cell but the majority (>90%) is bound to the muscle contractile apparatus. Many studies both from Europe and the USA have shown transient release of cardiac troponin following a bout of exercise. It is currently unknown the long term prognostic risk associated with troponin release following endurance exercise. Practically, the advice given is sound. Anyone who is thinking of running a marathon should consult a cardiologist before they commence training.

Sent by David Gaze | 3:04 AM ET | 11-05-2007

You could die on your couch...when are people going to quit protecting others from living their life the way they choose?
If someone wants to attempt a marathon let them

Sent by Brad Jessee | 4:41 PM ET | 01-16-2008

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