Running to Death: Health Risks and Marathoners

Running is one of the most effective exercises, but in recent years, controversy has surrounded the sport.

Tuesday, March 31st 2009, 11:41 pm

By: News 9


By Dave Jordan, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Running is one of the most effective exercises, but in recent years, controversy has surrounded the sport as small numbers of marathon participants died before, during or even shortly after their races. 

Erin Keleher is one of a small, but determined contingent that brave the elements at Lake Hefner on Saturday mornings, pounding their way through an eight mile run from Lake Hefner through Nichols Hills and back.

"Just to have the people around you, and to encourage you and motivate you, why else would you get out of bed when it's 20 degrees outside?" Keleher said.

Mark Nance, an avid runner, agrees.

"It's fairly simple, you just go out and run and take your time and try to do better every time you go out," Nance said.

Most of the runners at the lake on Saturday mornings are preparing for the Oklahoma City marathon. It's the same scene that plays out all across the country where millions of runners take to the tracks in anticipation of the grueling 26.2 mile trek.

Wendy Weaver completed two marathons since 2006 and is currently training with running coach Mark Bravo.

"It de-stresses me to the point where my husband and even my 4-year-old would go, 'Mommy, do you need a run?'" Weaver said.

Amid the dedication, is a small but alarming statistic of runners collapsing and dying during a marathon. It happened three times last year in the region alone, including at Tulsa, Dallas and Little Rock marathons.

"Marathons are serious business and they're a serious pursuit," said Shelly Spearman, who recently completed her first marathon. "It should be enjoyed to the max and taken seriously."

Spearman knows that first-hand, having been a runner off and on for 10 years. She got back on the track in June and completed her first marathon in December.

"I like the physical fitness aspect of it," Spearman said. "I feel like you get results quickly with running."

Spearman also knows first-hand the downside of the sport. Her father Jim Watson, a life-long runner, died in 1986 after completing a routine run.

Spearman said he had a clean bill of health and was in top condition. She doesn't believe running caused his death, but claimed it was the 11-minute response time before help arrived.

"He wouldn't have been in the great physical shape he was in had he not run," Spearman said. "In my opinion, it's just one of those fluke things."

Richard Tate's physical health was the reason he decided to take up running in 2006. He completed a few marathons, and dropped 100 pounds along the way, but as he was gearing up for another one, his trainer Bravo recommended he get a full physical.  The diagnosis came back and revealed Tate had early stage colon cancer.

"He said, 'The bad news is you have these level three, four polyps,'" Tate said. "He said, 'The good news is you and I aren't having this conversation in six months or a year.'"

Tate has made a full recovery and said the diagnosis would have never been made had he not been checked out.

"I believe I owe Mark Bravo my life," Tate said.

Doctor Tom Coniglione specializes in sports medicine and is a runner himself. He takes issue with the notion that running is deadly.

"These are people who have other problems and it's not really a marathon-related death," Dr. Coniglione said.

Dr. Coniglione believes pre-existing medical conditions and other factors like weather and lack of hydration played a role in the eight deaths that happened at marathons last year. And of course it goes back to the training, or lack thereof.

"The key is preparation and initial screening and being diligent to your training," Dr. Coniglione said. "If you do the training, it's safe. If you get checked out for any kind of problem and then you do the training, it's safe."

The dedicated Saturday morning runners say preparation is key.

"It's so important to educate yourself about it and not just go out there and do it," Bravo said.

Experts say before beginning training for a marathon, runners should be able to run for 30 minutes without stopping.

Runners are also encouraged to get a full checkup and be medically clear before starting any exercise regimen.

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