Factors Associated With Half- and Full-Marathon Race-Related Injuries: A 3-Year Review

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Running Biomechanics
• Injury Epidemiology

Background:

• Marathon running is a popular endurance activity.
• Race-related injuries are a significant concern for participants.
• Understanding risk factors is crucial for injury prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify demographic and training-related risk factors for race injuries in half and full marathon runners.
• To differentiate injury risk factors between half and full marathon participants.
• To inform evidence-based injury prevention strategies for endurance runners.

Main Methods:

• Observational, cross-sectional study over 3 years.
• Inclusion of adult half and full marathon runners.
• Data collection via pre-race and post-race surveys on demographics, training, and injuries.

Main Results:

• 24% of half marathoners and 30% of full marathoners reported race-related injuries.
• Common risk factors included prior injury, lower training mileage, and inexperience.
• Specific factors varied by race distance: younger age and female sex for half marathons; higher BMI for full marathons.

Conclusions:

• Previous injuries, insufficient training, and lack of experience elevate marathon injury risk.
• Female runners demonstrated a higher risk profile compared to male runners.
• Higher weekly training mileage (over 23 miles for half, 40 miles for full) was associated with reduced injury risk.