Home > The Running Report > Archives > 2008 > March > 17 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDo you fear running-related death?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A reader recently sent a note to me saying that he wants to take up running but he’s scared that he will have a heart attack and die.
It wasn’t something that seriously crossed my mind before he brought it up. In intense heat, for instance, I’ve feared I’d collapse yes, but die? No.
Do you ever fear dying from running?
A 27-year-old runner died earlier this month just after he completed the Little Rock Marathon in Arkansas. News reports said the preliminary autopsy reports were inconclusive.
I admit I was startled by last October’s Chicago Marathon when the race was stopped half way through because of record temperatures near 90 degrees. A runner collapsed and died. An autopsy revealed the 35-year-old runner’s death was due to a heart condition and not the heat. However, nearly 50 others were taken to area hospitals that day. And over 250 people were treated at the race course for heat-related problems.
I couldn’t help but think of last year’s ING race when the temperature soared over 80 degrees. I’ve written about how tough it was for me. How did the heat affect you?
Another runner, who was 25-years-old died the same day as the Chicago Marathon during the Army Ten-Miler in Arlington, Va. An autopsy showed he had coronary artery disease.
After the Chicago race CBS News reported that marathon deaths occur in about 1 in 50,000 runners.
Earlier today I talked to Dave Watt, executive director of the American Running Association. Several years ago a study by medical directors at the Marine Corp Marathon said deaths occur in 1 in 100,000, but the figures fluctuate as doctors consider the point at which the person died, Watt said.
Did the person die during the race or a short time afterwards? What type of symptoms did they have?
The ARA has two medical associations comprised of doctors who run and study marathon-related deaths.
“Part of the debate that’s been looked at is what constitutes a race-related fatality,” Watt said. “In the past someone may have died or showed some symptons after they completed the race and that didn’t count [as a marathon-related death].
One thing’s for sure, marathons have become more popular with average folks every year. Watt suggests first time runners test the waters as they would with any new endeavor. Start with a 5K or half marathon before jumping into a full 26.2 miles.
NEW UPDATE: The New York Times reported today that Ryan Shay, the runner who collapsed and died, last November, during the U.S. Olympic Trials in New York City, had a heart condition.
According to the New York City medical examiner’s office, Shay had cardiac arrhythmia caused by an enlarged heart and died of natural causes.
News researcher Joni Zeccola contributed to this blog.
Also click this link for a story from Friday’s paper on young athletes and hidden cardiac problems by reporter Gayle White.
MORE: State of the Art Marathon Training. USA Fit/Team Spirit Active Trainer. Peachtree Road Race. Road Rules. ING Georgia Marathon.
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Comments
By John Tackett
March 18, 2008 7:32 AM | Link to this
That was the first thing many people asked me about when I started to run 4 years ago. I was overweight and had problems with high blood pressure, and there were a number of stories in the news about runners deaths during races.
I took my doctor as a partner and he told me that like any sport, there is a risk of death, but that I was able to run, provided I started out slowly in my running paces until my body became used to the stress and strain it can produce.
Now I cannot imagine a day with being able to run and despite what happened in Chicago and D.C., as well as the death of a runner at the US Olympic qualifiers in NYC, I have not slowed down in regards to my running miles and training. If I died while running, at least I was doing something I enjoyed.
But I would recommend that all runners get a RoadID. I have had mine for over 3 years now and do not go anywhere without it attached to my wrist. I even have an ankle version for when I am doing triathlons. It has emergency contact information, my blood type, known allergies, even the fact that I am an organ donor. In the event of an accident, if you can’t speak for yourself, your Road ID will (as it did for me when i was hit by a motorist while doing a bike ride.)
Less then 2 weeks to go to the ING and I am getting pumped. One last long run this coming weekend, then a sports massage before the race, and I will be ready to go. See you all there.
By rekkidbraka
March 18, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this
The short answer: No.
By Van
March 18, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this
This is an interesting question. I do not run, but as I get older I have thought about taking up some form of cardio activity (I am naturally skinny so my exercise efforts have always focused mored on weight training.)I would worry more about heat related illness rather than dropping dead from a heart attack. Heat exhaustion and stroke can easily sneak up on you during exercise. I am a home inspector, and in the summer I try to inspect the attic area first thing before it gets too hot. One time I spent about 15 minutes in a 120+ degree attic and got heat exhaustion. Since then heat illness is very much on my mind.
By kristin
March 18, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this
I think I’m more afraid of being hit by a car while running than actually dying from the act of running.
I ran the ING Marathon last year and the heat did bother me quite a bit. I think it was from training in cooler months then my first long run in the heat and sun was the marathon. When I did the Chicago marathon in 2005 most of long runs were done in the heat of Atlanta’s summers and the heat never bothered me.
Like so many other things in life you just have to condition yourself properly.
By Greg Leathers
March 18, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
People always need to consult a doctor first, but if you look at the running deaths, you will notice most had a preexisting heart condition which some did not know about or there were hear problems. It is unfortunate that some people die every once in a while at the Peachtree, but some are also overweight and don’t train and more importantly don’t consult a doctor. That being said, the Peachtree has great treatment if you do become sick. I love running and will not let a few instances of preexisting conditions or overweight people dying stop me from running. A bigger concern is probably traffic and lazy drivers who do not pull over at all even when I run to the side of the road.
By Jill
March 18, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
I’m more worried about being hit by a car than anything else — and I don’t run on busy streets.
By Blackie
March 18, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
As a black man my biggest fear is being mistaken for a fleeing felon and being shot by the police.
By Tamika
March 18, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this
I feel i might Run today!!
By DD
March 18, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this
You didnt mention Ryan Shay, who died during the Olympic trials marathon this past fall. All you can do is be smart about weather and nutrition and such, but sometimes it’s just your time and there’s nothing you can do about it.
By pffft
March 18, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
im most afraid of getting fit and trim and having a bunch of hot ladies hitting on me. that would upset my wife and in turn upset me. so ive decided to stay chubby, enjoy some beer and watch a few more games on tv this weekend. sacrificing my health in turn for keeping my wonderful wife happy. because i care
By T21
March 18, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
I think there are a lot more deaths from heart disease and diabetes and the problems that are related to leading a sedentary lifestyle than from running… Running related deaths get a lot more pulicity BECAUSE they do not happen very often. Rarely is it ever a “well-trained” runner that dies during an event.
I ran the ING Georgia Marathon last year as well. It was very tough because of the heat and I ended up getting rather ill due to the combination of lack of water, heat, tough course, etc. At no point, though, did I ever feel I was in danger of dying. Common sense told me to slow down, but looking back if I had to do it all over again, I would have dropped out of the race and not finished. I couldn’t keep any fluid in my stomach for several hours after I finished… It was scary!
By Adrianne
March 18, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this
Hi DD,
I remember Ryan Shay who died in November, five miles into the U.S. men’s Olympic marathon trials in New York City.
Dave Watt, who I mention in the blog thinks that since Shay was an elite runner, his death has been one of the most shocking.
By Runner
March 18, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
For every 1 runner that dies in a marathon how many hundreds die sitting on a coach overweight?
Fear of death is just another excuse to not run.
Life’s short. Run long!
By landsaf
March 18, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this
I more afraid of being attacked by a crazy person than dying of a heart attack while running.
I know my body well enough to know what I can handle physically, so that is not a problem. I have no idea what the freaks out there want, though.