Newsflash: Marathons can be dangerous

We're into the fall marathon season, and on Sunday that meant another victory for Kenya -- in this case, Daniel Rono in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Unfortunately, it also has come to mean time for another one of these sad stories -- a 41-year-old runner collapsed and died less than one kilometre from the finish of the half-marathon.

I don't know of any organization or website that collates marathon fatality statistics (if there is one, let me know and I'll post it at the bottom as an update). But there is no doubt they have become much more common in this age of larger fields, where more has brought in a whole new range of issues, not all of them particularly positive: Taking shortcuts in the name of getting a medal; Race bibs for sale (NYT subscription required) to the more high-profile, high-demand races; Experienced grumps upset that all these people have spoiled their cosy party. Walk into any running store, and among the GPS units and the hydration kits on offer, chances are there are marathon clinics that promise to get you to the finish line.

As Randy Starkman noted in the story linked earlier, the death of Martin Poyser marks the third year in a row someone has died in running at one of Toronto's two fall marathons (the second, the Toronto Marathon, goes two weeks from Sunday). And while this particular case may be just an example of the explanation thrown out by organizers -- the bigger numbers mean it's just the percentages catching up, running is actually quite safe, there's nothing we can do, etc. -- here's a case where someone actually suggests there are other factors involved:

Peter Donato of Toronto, a veteran race promoter who runs marathon clinics, said there are a lot of runners who overstep what should be their limits and those are the ones who usually get into trouble.
"Some just try to do too much too soon," he said. "If you look at where a lot of trouble happens, it's A-types who work 50 hours, don't eat too well and are egged on by their ego.
"I do a lot of talks and get a lot of questions and I just end up shaking my head thinking, 'You don't know what you're doing.' They don't take the proper approach. I don't think that's the sport's fault."

I have no idea what happened here (in the Sun's reports this morning, there's the suggestion that the runner had completed the full marathon last year.) But I do know this: Getting ready for a marathon requires a lot of time and commitment, including building a proper base before you get into an actual training programme. If you're contemplating running a race -- of any distance where you're going to be pushing yourself beyond your own limits -- consider a local running club instead of one of those shoe-store clinics, where you'll be surrounded by experienced runners more than willing to help you (and as a bonus, there's no suggestion you buy some shoes while you're there).

But most important of all: see your doctor first to find out if there are any pre-conditions that might increase the risk you're taking. Get a complete checkup.

Related: Waterfront Marathon Crowns Joggling Champ.

Update (9-27): Martin Poyser, 41: Hair stylist travelled world.

Comments

[Peter Howell]

Good post, Chris, but just a couple of comments:
-- Those "shoe-store clinics" can be very useful and well-run. I've attended four of the Running Room's marathon clinics and coached one of them, and very valuable knowledge was taught by experienced runners. You just have to choose the right shoe store.
-- While you're amassing statistics of marathon deaths, please also include the following for context:
1. How many car passengers die not wearing seat belts;
2. How many bike riders die not wearing safety helmets;
3. How many overweight couch potatoes out of 10,000 are likely to succumb from a heart attack on any given Sunday.
Cheers,
Peter Howell

[cy]

Peter, I'm not saying that everyone should not be running a marathon (or a half marathon, or a 10K). Surely everything you've cited, for good and bad, can be said to be the same for pickup hockey, say, or softball, or anything where your heart is pumping hard.
But this story, and the fact that someone from within the running community was actually pointing out something quite contrary to those sentiments -- which you don't hear in those shoe-store clinics, at least according to my own experience -- made it blogworthy.
An anecdote: After I was in to see my sports doc for a running-induced case of pes bursitis on my knee, his advice was -- "you can get as much, and at far less risk, out of a good walk." I'll keep running, and so will you, because we love to do it. But I'll say it again -- the risk factor is something people don't hear enough, or refuse to accept. (postscript -- I was a bit late with this reply because I was out for a run!)

[mj]

FOR THE LOVE OF RUNNING

The runner who died on Sunday was Martin Poyser, my best friend.

We trained and ran the Chicago Marathon 2003 together. He read all the running books, joined running clinics, and always got approval from his Doctor. He loved running. He found it to be meditative and rejuvenating. With a gleam in his eye he's say "I found my zone".

He loved running with friends and joined races for the fun of running with a crowd.

We all know that running has its risks, we were always shocked and dismayed to hear of a marathon death.

In the past I have often searched for an answer; a possible solution to prevent these tragedies. Today - the grief is eating a hole in my belly - I better go for a run.

Michelle

[cy]

I am so sorry for your loss, Michelle.
My deepest sympathies go out to all of Martin's friends and family.
Thanks for taking the time to post the comment.

[Jason]

Martin Poyser was definitely not an inexperienced, A-type, ego driven person with a win at all costs personality. Martin was a great human being and like an older brother to me. He took the art of running seriously and took the time to properly prepare for the sport that he loved to partake in. The world has lost a great man. He will be dearly, dearly missed...