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Medical and Disaster Preparedness of US Marathons

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 June 2015

Joshua Glick ,
Jeffrey Rixe ,
Nancy Spurkeland ,
Jodi Brady ,
Matthew Silvis  and
Robert P. Olympia
Joshua Glick*
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA
Jeffrey Rixe
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts USA
Nancy Spurkeland
Affiliation:
College of Medicine, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania USA
Jodi Brady
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania USA
Matthew Silvis
Affiliation:
Departments of Family & Community Medicine and Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania USA
Robert P. Olympia
Affiliation:
Departments of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania USA
*
Correspondence: Joshua E. Glick, MD Department of Emergency Medicine Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania 3400 Spruce Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107 USA E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Background

Despite the events that occurred at the 2013 Boston Marathon (Boston, Massachusetts USA), there are currently no evidence-based guidelines or published data regarding medical and disaster preparedness of marathon races in the United States.

Purpose

To determine the current state of medical disaster preparedness of marathons in the US and to identify potential areas for improvement.

Methods

A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted from January through May of 2014. The questionnaire was distributed to race directors of US road and trail marathons, as identified by a comprehensive internet database.

Results

One hundred twenty-three questionnaires were available for analysis (19% usable response rate). Marathon races from all major regions of the US were represented. Runner medical information was not listed on race bibs in 53% of races. Only 45% of races held group training and planning sessions prior to race day. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) were immediately available on 50% of courses, and medications such as albuterol (30%), oxygen (33%), and IV fluids (34%) were available less frequently. Regarding medical emergencies, 55% of races did not have protocols for the assessment of dehydration, asthma, chest pain, syncope, or exercise-induced cramping. With regard to disaster preparedness, 50% of races did not have protocols for the management of disasters, and 21% did not provide security personnel at start/finish lines, aid stations, road crossings, and drop bag locations.

Conclusions

Areas for improvement in the preparedness of US marathons were identified, such as including printed medical information on race bibs, increasing pre-race training and planning sessions for volunteers, ensuring the immediate availability of certain emergency equipment and medications, and developing written protocols for specific emergencies and disasters.

GlickJRixeJASpurkelandNBradyJSilvisMOlympiaRP. Medical and Disaster Preparedness of US Marathons. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2015;30(4):1–7.

Keywords

disaster medicinemarathon racesrunningsports medicine
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 30 , Supplement 4 , August 2015 , pp. 344 - 350
Copyright
© World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2015 

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Glick supplementary material

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