2007 Chicago Marathon Fatality
Tragedy Illustrates Risks of Hot Weather Running
A runner collapsed and died during the 2007 Chicago Marathon run in record heat. There are risks to running in hot weather.
Chicago Marathon 2007
The Chicago marathon held on October 7, 2007 was the hottest day ever for the event. The temperature, already 73 F at the 8 AM start, soared to 88 F by noon. The high temperatures were accompanied by 86% humidity.
Race organizers called off the race after 4 hours when the temperature soared. In addition fire fighters doused runners with water to help cool them. Runners were diverted to the starting area and provided with medical attention if needed.
A 35 year old male runner collapsed and died during the race. Of 300 runners treated for heat related maladies, about 50 were hospitalized.
On the same weekend another runner died running a 10 mile race in Virginia.
Risks of Hot Weather Running
These tragedies should convince anyone not already convinced that the risks of hot weather running are real. In long races such as the marathon the risks multiply.
One might think that the risk is greater for the elite runners, who are running at the fastest pace. However these elite runners finish in a little over two hours while it is still relatively cool.
Paradoxically the risk is greater for non-elite runners who are still running 3, 4, 5, or more hours after the start. It has time to really get hot for these runners.
There is a twenty degree rule of thumb. A runner is as warm as a sedentary person when it is twenty degrees hotter. So running in 90 degree heat is roughly equivalent to watching the race in 110 degree heat.
What Should Runners Do?
About 10,000 of the approximately 45,000 runners who had entered decided not to start the race. Nearly another 11,000 did not finish. They were wise. Despite the disappointment of not running a race after months of training, it is often not worth the risk of running in extreme heat. If faced with a race on an extremely hot day, one can check the marathon calendar to find another race in a few weeks, after the heat wave has passed.
Marathon runners are however a stubborn group. Those who chose to run despite high temperatures should take proper precautions.
Precautions for Those Choosing to Run
- Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Runners who experience these symptoms should stop running immediately and seek medical attention.
- Make sure that you are well trained and conditioned for the race. If you are not properly trained, the stress on the body is greater. It is best to wait and select a marathon during a cooler time of the year.
- Run more slowly than your usual race pace.
- Take occasional walking breaks to cool off.
- Drink plenty of liquids and pour water over your head.
- From the beginning of the race be mentally prepared to stop running whenever the heat stress becomes too great.
About 20,000 Chicago marathon finishers proved that it is possible to complete a marathon in extreme heat. However there are risks involved. Runners should be fully aware of these risks and take proper precautions.
Note: After this article was posted, autopsy results revealed that the victim had a known heart condition. It seems likely that both the heart condition and the heat contributed to his death.
