MARATHON MEDICAL-SERVICES - STRATEGIES TO REDUCE RUNNER MORBIDITY

Grandma's Marathon has been run each year in June since 1977 in Duluth , MN. It is ranked in the top 20 marathons and in 1993 was ranked the ninth largest and fourth fastest in the United States. As Grandma's Ma rathon continues to grow each year, so do concerns for the runners' sa fety. A half marathon was added in 1991 and earlier race times have be en implemented to make the race safer for the runners. During the year s of 1989-1995, data from the medical tent, weather bureau, and race b ooklets were analyzed using odds ratios to predict factors associated with a need for medical assistance. The odds of needing assistance wer e almost two times higher before implementing the half marathon and th e odds of needing assistance decreased with earlier start times. Excep t for 1994 when the race was later, the percent of finishers seeking m edical attention has decreased each year, a fact that we feel is a dir ect result of these race changes. Thus, the addition a half marathon a nd earlier start times can help decrease the number of people needing medical assistance.