Marathon race medical administration.

Marathon race medical coverage involves coordinating many organisations, personnel and government agencies. An infrastructure of aid stations, finish-line medical tents, ambulance services, communication networks and transport vehicles support the medical professionals covering the event. Knowledge of the volume and type of medical problems that arise during a marathon allow the medical director to assemble the necessary components for a safe event.

Preservation of ventricular function in amateur athletes after completion of a marathon.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated the development of impaired systolic function and new segmental wall motion abnormalities following completion of ultraendurance events. Limited information is available on the effect of an endurance event such as a marathon on the left ventricular indices and hemodynamics.

Methods: We examined 45 patients (26 men, 19 women with the average age of 35+/- 8 years) who successfully trained and completed the 2001 Chicago Marathon (26.