A 12-yr profile of medical injury and illness for the Twin Cities Marathon.
OBJECTIVE
To summarize the medical encounters (injury/illness) for runners and the meteorologic data collected in the medical area of a large marathon race.


METHODS
Prospectively transcribed medical records were analyzed for encounter rate, injury/illness type, treatment rendered, and outcomes. The environmental conditions for each race day are compared with injury/illness rates and types.


METHODS
An urban 42-km marathon located at 44 degrees 53' N latitude and 93 degrees 13' W longitude, scheduled on the first Sunday of October with an early morning start time.


METHODS
81,277 entrants in the Twin Cities Marathon from 1982 to 1994.


RESULTS
The start temperature range was -4 to 16 degrees C and the 4-h temperature range was 5-20 degrees C. The average dew point was 3 degrees C at the start and 4 degrees C at 4 h. The finish area medical encounter rates for marathon runners were 18.9 per 1000 entrants and 25.3 per 1000 finishers. Mild injury/illness accounted for 90% of finish line medical encounters. Runners presented with exercise-associated collapse (59%), skin problems (21%), musculoskeletal problems (17%), and other medical problems (3%). Only 112 runners received intravenous fluids and 30 runners were transferred to emergency medical facilities. One death occurred in 1989.


CONCLUSIONS
Marathon racing in cool conditions is a safe activity and most of the medical encounters are of minor severity. An early morning start time contributes to a cool racing environment and a low injury rate. More than 99.9% of runners who finish this race leave the finish area without hospital or emergency room care. The injury/illness profile can be used to tailor medical care at the finish area of marathons.
Roberts
W O
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MinnHealth SportsCare, White Bear Lake, MN 55110, USA. rober037@tc.umn.edu
D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D003645:Death, Sudden; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D010807:Physical Endurance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012420:Running / Q000293:injuries*; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014887:Weather