by Adrianne Murchison

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.

ROE input: No, this was not specifically a trail running article, but I’m sure it’s contents may be of concern to some lately. I do not believe that running can be blamed here. And, with no inference to Ryan Shay’s instance, perhaps, many are just pushing physical limitations that ought not be pushed. Regardless, I do not wish to seem insensitive to those who have fallen running, but keep on trail running, and don’t fear the unlikely. My deepest condolences do go out to Ryan Shay.

More at ajc.com

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