Abstract
Objective
To examine reported medical events, medical care provided, runner training, and racing characteristics at a high altitude ultramarathon run.
Methods
Medical personnel reported all significant events to the Race Medical Director during and after the event. Significant medical events were followed up after the race by either the Medical Director or another race medical provider. Seventy-four runners completed an online postrace questionnaire regarding their experience, symptoms during and after the run, training characteristics, medication use, hydration and fueling strategy, and injuries both during the run and in prior ultramarathons. Associations between the medical problems experienced during the race and the runner’s hydration, training, and experience were examined.
Results
Fifty-four percent of runners reported fewer than ten 161-km races, 51% had more than 20 years of running experience, and >75% had more than 7 years of ultramarathon experience. Years of running and years of running ultras were not significantly associated with any of the medical outcomes. Peak training miles per week was significantly negatively correlated with shortness of breath (P = .0316). Fifty percent of racers drank to thirst only, 39% on a time schedule and 16% by urine color or amount. The most frequent medical problems experienced during the race were nausea and vomiting (37%), blisters (34%), and shortness of breath (24%). Twenty-three racers reported using pain medication during the race, mainly NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). No definite serious altitude illness was reported despite the high altitude during much of the race. No runner received intravenous fluids during or after the race.
Conclusions
This group of experienced runners appeared to tolerate high altitude within the race, by report. Medical issues were largely minor in nature. Running experience did not correlate strongly with reported symptoms. More study is needed, at this distance and altitude, regarding runner acclimatization practices, serum sodium, body weight, and ADH (antidiuretic hormone) levels as relates to hydration strategy and the possible effects of NSAIDs on the development of altitude illness.