Modern marathons such as New York, Chicago, London, and Berlin have tens of thousands of runners and millions of spectators. Common courtesy for other runners becomes necessary when running in a densely packed crowd.^[27] Those employing a walk/run strategy or who are simply walking are encouraged to stay to one side, leaving the middle of the street for faster runners.

Runners in groups are encouraged not to block the entire street, preventing other runners from passing them. Two or three runners abreast is recommended. Large groups may consider single or double files.

Spectators should remain on the curbs, instead of crowding onto the street and condensing participants into an even smaller space.

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Cardiac risks

A study published in 1996^[28] found that the risk of having a fatal heart attack during, or in the period 24 hours after, a marathon, was approximately 1 in 50,000 over an athlete's racing career^[29] - which the authors characterised as an "extremely small" risk. The paper went on to say that since the risk was so small, cardiac screening programs for marathons were not warranted. However, this study was not an attempt to assess the overall benefit or risk to cardiac health of marathon running.

In 2006, a study of 60 non-elite marathon participants tested runners for certain proteins which indicate heart damage or dysfunction after they had completed the marathon, and gave them ultrasound scans before and after the race. The study revealed that, in that sample of 60 people, runners who had done less than 35 miles per week training before the race were most likely to show some heart damage or dysfunction, while runners who had done more than 45 miles per week training beforehand showed few or no heart problems.^[30]

It should be emphasized that regular exercise in general provides a range of health benefits, including a substantially reduced risk of heart attacks. Moreover, these studies only relate to marathons, not to other forms of running. It has been suggested that as marathon running is a test of endurance, it stresses the heart more than shorter running activities, and this may be the reason for the reported findings.

In 2007, Ryan Shay, a 28 year-old elite long-distance runner, died after collapsing early in the US Olympic marathon trials. His death was reported as probably due to a pre-existing heart abnormality.

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Multiple marathons

As marathon running has become more popular, some athletes have undertaken to complete goals involving the running of a series of marathons. The most popular goal is to run a marathon in each state of the United States and the District of Columbia. Over 300 individuals have completed this circuit once and some have done it eight times.^[31] Twenty-seven people have run a marathon on each of the seven continents,^[32] and 31 people have run a marathon in each of the Canadian provinces.^[33] In 2006, two people, Sam Thompson and Dean Karnazes, ran 50 marathon distances on 50 consecutive days in 50 different states. ^[34][35] In 1980, in what was dubbed the Marathon of Hope, Terry Fox ran the marathon distance each day for 143 consecutive days, using one artificial leg. ^[36]

Other goals are to attempt to run marathons in a series of consecutive weekends (Richard Worley on 159 weekends),^[37] or to run the most marathons during a particular year (e.g. Larry Macon ran 93 in 2007),^[38] or the most in a lifetime. As of June 30, 2007, Horst Preisler of Germany had successfully completed 1157 marathons plus 343 ultramarathons, a total of 1500 events at marathon distance or longer.^[39] Norm Frank of the United States is credited with 945 marathons.^[40] There are even clubs for people who have run 100 or more marathons; one such club has at least 45 members.^[41]

Some runners compete to run the same marathons for the most consecutive years. For example, Johnny Kelley completed 58 Boston Marathons. Four runners dubbed the "ground pounders" (Will Brown, Mattew Jaffe, Alfred Richmond, and Mel Williams) have completed all 32 Marine Corps Marathons.^[42] Another mention for most consecutive marathons is Jerald Fenske, who has completed every Paavo Nurmi Marathon he has entered since his first in 1978 at age 17, a total of 30 through 2007.

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See also

• Half marathon
• Man versus Horse Marathon
• Marathon National Records
• Marathon world best progression
• Marathon Year Rankings
• Mountain Marathon
• Mount Marathon Race
• Multiday race
• National champions Marathon (men)
• Running
• Ski Marathon
• Ultramarathon
• Ironman Triathlon
• Rosie Ruiz
• Flying Finn (athlete)

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References

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External links

• IAAF International Association of Athletic Federations
• Masters - World Rankings (Men)
• London Marathon interactive guide
• www.corredorespopulares.es/index_english

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