Welcome to the Plymouth Half Marathon. The intention of this document is to give you some brief but appropriate advice regarding your health and welfare on the day.

Foot Blisters
Click here to view advise by Emma Cowley MSc, BSc (Hons)

 

 

 

If you have any long-standing medical problems that may interfere with your ability to complete this event, or would make it risky for you to take part then you must discuss them with your GP prior to the event and follow their advice.

 

Also if you have suffered flu, a fever, high temperature, diarrhoea, vomiting or any chest pain in the days leading up to the event you must seek medical advice from your GP to make sure you are medically fit enough to run this event.

 

If you are suffering any of these conditions on the day before or on the day of the event YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE PART.  Competing in this kind of event while you have a temperature or the flu can put you at risk from heart inflammation which may be irreversible. In addition your body would require much greater reserves of energy to complete this event whilst you are ill and the risk of you collapsing is much greater.

 

IF YOU ARE ILL, DO THE SENSIBLE THING – WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR TO RUN !

 

 

DURING THE HALF MARATHON

 

Over the last few years there has been lots of research on fluid intake during marathon running. Although you need to replace fluids lost by sweating there is a danger in drinking too much fluid which may reduce your blood sodium levels and make you unwell. (This problem is more likely to occur if you are running for more than 4 hours, take on more fluid than you lose, are female with relatively little experience of endurance competing or if you are taking none steroidal anti-inflammatory tablets). You should aim to drink NO MORE THAN 400-800 ml/hour during the race with the higher rates for the faster runners, or competing in warm environmental conditions, and the lower rates for slower runners/walkers, or competing in cooler conditions.

If you have any medical condition which may lead to a medical emergency, such as epilepsy, diabetes, asthma, etc you should mark a cross on the front of your number and write the details of your condition(s) on the back of your number. Similarly if your are currently taking any medication, regardless of what it is for, you should also mark the front of your number with a cross and write the details of the medication and what it is for, on the back of your number. It is absolutely essential for the medical staff to have as much information as possible about you if you are found in a collapsed state and unable

to tell them yourself.

 

If you are unlucky enough to suffer a non-serious injury at any point of the route, such as muscle cramps or extreme fatigue, and decide not to complete the marathon, we cannot come and collect you until after the marathon has finished. This is because we cannot allow vehicles to be moving around amongst the runners unless there is a life-threatening emergency. There will be a sweep vehicle (such as a minibus) following the end of the run, and you will be able to get a lift back to the Hoe, but please be prepared for a wait.

 

Similarly, should you decide to drop out whilst passing your house, or one of the many pubs on the route, please have the courtesy to let the event organisers know by telephone. Each year a lot of time is spent trying to ensure that no runners have been left collapsed ill or injured in a hedge or garden along the route, and a quick telephone call to say you have dropped out would be appreciated.

AFTER YOU HAVE CROSSED THE FINISH LINE

 

First of all - WELL DONE, YOU’VE MADE IT !

However you’re not done just yet as standing around will drop your blood pressure and may cause you to feint, so walk around for a few minutes. You may also start feeling cold as your muscles stop working so change into warm, dry clothing. Find something to eat and drink as your body will need replenishing with sugar and water.

Once it is time to make your way home, make sure there is someone who you can contact to come and collect you if you are feeling unwell or to shaky to drive home. Many people competing in strenuous sports have been involved in accidents while driving home as their bodies are incredibly tired and the brain can be slow to react to otherwise normal occurrences.

 

MEDICAL FACILITIES AT THE HALF MARATHON

 

You have no doubt managed your blisters, aches, pains , chaffing and cramps quite well yourself up until now, and we would ask and expect you to continue to do that yourself on the day. Of course if they are substantially worse than usual, or out of the ordinary, and require professional medical assistance then we will of course provide that for you.

 

A Medical Centre will be situated close to the Start/Finish line and staffed by Doctors, Nurses and Paramedics. It is a smaller version of a Hospital Accident & Emergency Department and is there to assess and treat any seriously (or potentially serious) ill or injured participants or supporters, prior to their transfer to the main Hospital.

 

Along the Marathon route and around the Hoe area will be a number of Ambulances, motorcycles, and medical staff on foot, although if all goes well you won’t ever see them. Unlike traditional events where a First Aider is stood every 200 yards or so, the Plymouth Half Marathon have undertaken to provide professional Paramedic cover for the event to ensure the best possible care is provided to anyone, anywhere on the route. There is a carefully co-ordinated plan to ensure that assistance will be with any seriously ill or injured patient with 90 seconds and will provide YOU with the best care available in the unlikely event that you will need it.