According to the BBC, a tragedy occurred at the recent London Marathon. A 29-year-old amateur runner named Campbell collapsed around the 36-kilometer mark. Despite the efforts of on-site medical personnel, he was pronounced dead shortly after being transported to the hospital.

Campbell was 29 years old and worked as a chef. He had previously participated in a reality TV show and made it to the top four, gaining some fame in London. According to his social media account, the London Marathon was his second marathon in two weeks. He had just completed the Manchester Marathon on April 8th, achieving a personal best time of 2 hours and 56 minutes, marking him as an elite amateur runner.

Although the exact cause of Campbell's death is unclear, possible reasons include severe heatstroke or sudden cardiac arrest. The temperature on the day of the London Marathon reached 23.2 degrees Celsius, which is considered a pleasant day for the general public but quite high for marathon running. This was the hottest London Marathon on record.

The race started at 10 a.m. local time in London, under a blazing sun. When amateur runners reached the most challenging 30-kilometer mark, it was noon and the hottest part of the day. Many runners struggled, fainted, or felt weak, and it seemed like there weren't enough ambulances. Some water stations even ran out of water, forcing the organizers to dispatch mobile water stations for support.

Campbell may have succumbed to severe heatstroke, such as heat exhaustion or heatstroke-induced hyperthermia, due to the weather. Alternatively, his heart may have been overly fatigued from running two marathons in quick succession, leading to sudden cardiac arrest.

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Experienced runners are more likely to suffer sudden death than novices.

Sudden death during a marathon is a highly sensitive topic both within the running community and in society at large. The initial reaction might be to think that those who have never run a marathon are more likely to die suddenly during a race.In reality, this is not the case. Statistics show that the vast majority of sudden deaths in marathon events occur among runners who have previously participated in marathons.

According to American sports medicine experts, statistics from decades of the Twin City and Marine Corps marathons in the U.S. show that all sudden death victims were male. Over the years, there have been 14 cases of sudden death, with only 2 being first-time marathon runners. The majority of victims had multiple marathon experiences.

As the saying goes, 'Experienced riders are more likely to fall, and swimmers are more likely to drown.' Novices, though less capable and with weaker willpower, tend to walk when they can't run, which reduces their risk of accidents to some extent.

Experienced marathoners, on the other hand, have stronger willpower and may push through discomfort. Additionally, some sudden death victims may have had undiagnosed congenital heart conditions or suffered from long-term overtraining, leading to asymptomatic adverse changes in their hearts, eventually triggering sudden death under certain conditions.

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Neglecting post-race recovery andrunning back-to-back marathons

In recent years, the booming marathon scene in China has given rise to a group of 'marathon chasers.' They participate in as many races as possible, regardless of race schedules or recovery needs. Some run marathons every month or even every week, with many running back-to-back marathons.

Many runners take pride in this, boasting about how many marathons they can run in a year. It seems that the more races they participate in, the more capable they appear. However, this mindset and behavior contradict the original purpose of running for health.

Frequent participation in races can lead to insufficient recovery, accumulated fatigue, and issues like cardiac overload and sports injuries. Campbell's tragic death at the London Marathon serves as a stark warning.

Objectively speaking, Campbell's sudden death may not be directly linked to running two marathons in two weeks, but doing so and achieving sub-3-hour times would undoubtedly place a significant burden on his body.Such extreme overloading could be the proverbial 'last straw that broke the camel's back.' In other words, running two marathons in two weeks may not be the direct cause of sudden death, but it is certainly a contributing factor.

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Frequent racing can lead to myocardial damage.

Marathon races or high-intensity endurance training for marathons can negatively impact the cardiovascular system. Prolonged high-intensity endurance exercise exceeding 1-2 hours can place excessive strain on the heart, causing myocardial overstretching and microdamage.

The heart damage caused by a single high-intensity endurance exercise is reversible. With adequate recovery and repair time, these damages can heal, resulting in a healthier and stronger heart.

However, insufficient rest and recovery time can lead to the accumulation of acute reversible microdamage, eventually causing myocardial fibrosis, arrhythmias, and other issues. This is similar to how high-intensity running can cause microdamage to the knees, which is usually repairable. Repeated excessive running can lead to insufficient repair and accumulated fatigue, resulting in overuse injuries.

The months of March to June and September to November are peak marathon seasons. While running marathons is enjoyable, chasing races and frequent participation can pose significant problems, leading to severe fatigue for both the heart and muscles and joints.

Generally, it is recommended that amateur runners participate in no more than two full marathons per year and no more than four half marathons. After a full marathon, at least three months of rest is advised before participating in another marathon. After a half marathon, at least one month of rest is recommended before the next marathon.

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How can similar tragedies be avoided?

For most runners, the primary goal of choosing to run and participate in marathons is to improve health and fitness. When deciding to participate in a marathon, never forget the original intention of running: personal safety is paramount.

1. Ensure adequate training before running a marathon.

Although more experienced runners seem to be more prone to sudden death, this does not mean that novice runners are safe. Without sufficient mileage and training, running a marathon can place immense pressure on the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems. Cramps, hitting the wall, and exhaustion are common issues for undertrained marathon runners.

2. Control the number of races based on your condition.

The previous sections have thoroughly explained the dangers of frequent marathon running. What constitutes frequent? The following scenarios qualify: participating in a full marathon every month; less than three months between two full marathons; participating in a half marathon every week; less than one month between two half marathons; running marathons on both days of a weekend, such as two half marathons.

3. Pay attention to high temperatures.

The optimal temperature for a marathon is between 5-15 degrees Celsius. Temperatures above 15 degrees can affect personal bests, and above 20 degrees, running a marathon can feel very hot. If you lack the ability or training, it can lead to exhaustion and discomfort. Runners must take temperature seriously and plan appropriate race strategies and cooling measures if the temperature exceeds 20 degrees. Lower your expectations for outstanding performance and avoid pushing too hard.

4. Never run a marathon if you have a cold.

During a cold, the body's resistance is significantly lowered as the immune system fights the virus. You need more rest, and running, let alone a marathon, can further weaken your immune system and cause more severe issues. Even after recovering from a cold, avoid running a marathon for at least two weeks. Runners should take precautions to avoid colds during training, as a cold can ruin your hard-earned preparation.

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