Endurance events like ultramarathons, Ironmans, and multi-day adventure races present unique medical challenges that require specialised medical support. By providing the necessary medical support, we can help ensure the safety and well-being of participants as they push themselves to their limits and achieve their endurance goals.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most extreme endurance events around the world and the medical considerations that come with them. From the frigid Alaskan wilderness to the scorching Sahara desert, these events will test the limits of even the most seasoned endurance athletes.
→ Register for Endurance Event Medicine with Laura Penhaul
The Barkley Marathons: Battling the Tennessee Terrain
The Barkley Marathons is not your average ultramarathon. It’s an event that has gained worldwide notoriety for being one of the toughest endurance races out there.
Held annually in Frozen Head State Park, Tennessee, it is a gruelling 100-mile ultramarathon through the rugged terrain of the park. However, the event is not just about running a set distance. It’s about pushing your physical and mental boundaries to the limit as you battle a course that’s not marked, no GPS devices allowed, and only a map and compass to guide you, it’s a true test of endurance, intelligence, and resilience.
Add into the mix the unforgiving terrain and ever-changing weather conditions, runners will have to navigate through dense forests, scramble up steep hills and navigate their way through thick underbrush, all while battling fatigue and sleep deprivation.
The race is so challenging that participants are given just 60 hours to complete the course and of more than a 1,000 who’ve entered, only 17 have completed the full distance in time in the race’s history.
To enter the Barkley Marathons, you’ll need to follow a secret procedure. The race does not have an official website, and it’s not listed on any calendar. To obtain entry, you’ll need to email the race director on a specific day of the year, but the exact date is only known by those who have previously competed.
The Barkley Marathons is one of the most exclusive and challenging races in the world.
Marathon Des Sables: Surviving the Sahara Desert
The Marathon Des Sables is a 250 km, six-day, self-sufficient race across the Sahara desert in Morocco. It is often considered the toughest footrace on earth, and it attracts runners from around the globe who want to challenge their endurance and push their limits.
Participants are required to carry all their food, clothing, and equipment, except for water and a tent to sleep in. Each day, they will run the equivalent of a marathon through challenging and unpredictable terrain, including sand dunes, rocky hills, and dry riverbeds. The heat can reach up to 50°C, making hydration and heat management crucial to survival.
Completing the Marathon Des Sables is not just about physical endurance. It requires mental toughness, resourcefulness, and a willingness to embrace discomfort. It’s a true test of character and resilience.
The race is open to anyone over the age of 18 who is physically and mentally prepared for the challenge. However, due to the limited number of places available, participants are selected through a lottery system.
The Marathon Des Sables is a truly gruelling multi-stage adventure in one of the world’s most inhospitable environments.
Iditarod Trail 1000 Invitational: Pushing through Alaskan Wilderness
The Iditarod Trail 1000 Invitational is considered one of the most challenging endurance races in the world. Participants face extreme conditions, unpredictable weather, and the harsh wilderness of Alaska. The race covers over 1,000 miles, with competitors required to complete the course in less than 30 days.
Participants will face sub-zero temperatures, deep snow, and icy terrain, all while carrying their own gear and supplies for the duration of the race. The race requires not only physical stamina but also mental fortitude and the ability to navigate challenging and remote terrain.
It is not just a race, but an incredible adventure that tests participants both physically and mentally. Competitors must complete the Iditarod Trail 350 at least once and demonstrate a mastery of winter survival skills and self-reliance in the unforgiving Alaskan wilderness to have any chance to be accepted for the ITI 1000.
The Iditarod Trail 1000 Invitational is an endurance event like no other.
Medical Considerations for Endurance Events
Endurance races, such as these, can present significant challenges for athletes, and medical issues are likely to arise during these events, even for the most prepared individuals.
Therefore, it is crucial for event medical teams and athletes to have a solid understanding of the anatomy and different types of injuries that can occur. In this way, they can handle a variety of situations, from minor injuries to life-threatening emergencies.
One of the key challenges in providing medical support during endurance races is being able to differentiate between different types of injuries and identifying which body parts require strapping. For example, when treating ankle, knee, hip, or shoulder injuries, it is important to be able to differentiate between first and second-degree sprains and advise athletes on movements to avoid or be cautious of. Moreover, assessing an athlete’s ability to continue with an injury, such as a groin strain, and informing them of the likely recovery time and its impact on their future endurance career is important.
Furthermore, medical teams must be prepared to manage collapses in endurance settings, such as hyponatremia, cardiac, and heat illness. It is essential to know the different levels of heat stroke that are safe for athletes to continue in a race and when to review them again. Additionally, you should be able to differentiate between cold injury and blister hot spots.
Psychotic episodes caused by the physical and emotional strain of these events may occur, particularly when the medical history of the participant is unknown, and the nearest hospital is miles away. It is essential to manage these episodes effectively. Additionally, advising athletes on how to manage sores/rashes in an endurance running or cycling event, particularly when hygiene is not optimal, is important.
Apart from medical considerations, medevac planning is a crucial aspect of these races, especially when the base may be moving, and participants may be stretched out over several hundred kilometres. As a medical team, you must have a plan in place for supporting people who are geographically hours apart. Legal indemnity is also a significant consideration that needs to be addressed.
Kit planning is also an essential part of preparing for endurance races. As a medical team, you need to have the right equipment and medications to handle various situations that may arise during the race. You should advise athletes on their nutrition, hydration, sleep, and jet lag management, including how to manage periods during ultra-endurance events.
Where to learn Endurance Medicine skills?
If you’re a healthcare worker who wants to gain more expertise and specialise in endurance event medicine, or an experienced racer or supporting professional who is looking to enhance their knowledge and skills, our Endurance Event Medicine course provides an excellent opportunity for you.
You will learn from the best, as we are thrilled to announce that renowned physiotherapist and performance coach, Laura Penhaul, will be joining us as part of the teaching faculty for the course
With their extensive experience working with world-class athletes and teams, Laura and John have collaborated to create a comprehensive course program that covers key medical challenges and techniques required to manage medical issues in endurance events.
Their expertise will be invaluable to medical professionals and endurance athletes alike, who are looking to expand their knowledge and practical skills in this area.
→ Register for Endurance Event Medicine with Laura Penhaul
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Watch: Keeping an Athlete Moving with Laura Penhaul
Listen: Race Across America Part 1 & Race Across America Part 2