MEDICAL

SERVICES 

Hands Only CPR 

Together with the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association, the Boston Athletic Association has created a video demonstrating the use of “hands only” CPR. Please click here to watch the video.  

We will be hosting a CPR Demonstration booth at the Boston Marathon Expo (Saturday & Sunday Only).  Come by, learn how to perform CPR and how you can help a fellow runner. 

Athlete’s Village 
The Start Area will have two medical tents that can help with most last-minute medical needs:  

  • Band-Aids 
  • Vaseline 
  • Pre-race stretch 
  • or just a word of encouragement can be offered by our medical team!   

Before arriving at the Athletes' Village, please take time to add the following information on the back of your bib:  

  • Allergies 
  • Medical conditions 
  • If applicable, the cell number of who is waiting for you near the finish 
  • Emergency Contacts (if not provided at time of registration) 

Medical Services - On-course 

The Boston Athletic Association provides 26 medical stations strategically located along the course. Each tent is staffed with a variety of medical professionals, offering: 

  • Basic first aid 
  • Athletic Wraps 
  • Massage/stretching 
  • Simple wound/blister care 

For those experiencing more serious conditions, dehydration, exertional heat stroke, hyponatremia, or an orthopedic injury, please know we are equipped to care for these conditions on site. If we are unable to perform the necessary treatment, the course is supported with ambulances to provide transport to the nearest hospital. 

Sweep Medical Bus Program 

Medical sweep buses are positioned along the course at aid stations. These buses are available to runners who cannot finish the race and/or may have a minor medical problem. Each bus is staffed by medical volunteers who are available to provide first aid. A runner may choose to rest on the bus while it is parked at a first aid station. However, once the bus begins to move, the runner is no longer an official entrant, and you will not be given an official finish time. Once on the bus, the runner may not re-enter the course to complete the marathon.  

Medical Sweep buses are required to travel from aid station to aid station before a secondary bus will travel directly to the finish area in Boston. Once you arrive in Boston (drop off behind our Medical Tent on Dartmouth Street) you have the option of seeking care in our medical tents or entering Boylston Street for water, food, and other support systems. 

Medical Services - Finish Line/Finish Area 

Medical teams are located throughout the finish area: 

  • At the immediate finish line 
  • Dartmouth Street 
  • St. James Street at Berkeley Street 
  • Additional members of the medical team are staffed along recovery zones leading to the Family Meeting Area.  

Medical personnel can be identified by their medical volunteer jackets. If you are injured or feeling ill, please seek out a member of the medical team for support. 

After You Cross the Finish Line 

During any prolonged physical activity, the body’s blood supply is usually redirected to the extremities and away from internal organs. Runners should continue to walk after finishing the race. Standing still or stopping can cause nausea, dizziness, and weakness – normally resulting with a runner passing out. Walking will help redirect your blood to vital organs, so it is advisable to keep moving. In any event, if you think you need help, ask one of our medical personnel for assistance. 

Important information for training and competing on race day 

The B.A.A. and the Boston Marathon Medical Team urge all runners to consult their personal physicians prior to training and running the marathon. Traditionally, distance running is a safe and healthy form of exercise, but there are in­herent risks associated with running extreme distances, especially if you have certain pre-existing medical conditions. Only a physician familiar with your personal medical history, current health status, medications, and your pre-existing risk factors can advise you as to whether you are fit to run the Boston Marathon.  

If you have a known personal or family history of heart problems regardless of how insignificant you feel this is (such as mitral valve prolapse), you should obtain a medical consultation from a physician trained in exercise and related heart conditions. If you suffer from exercise induced chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness or passing out, you should also consult such a physician before training or running in the marathon. The extremes of this competition place much stronger stresses on the heart than normal daily activities or recreational running. 

Taking these simple steps and heed­ing the advice of your personal physician will give you the ability to make the right decisions and enjoy a healthy race. 

Hyponatremia, Hydration, and Dehydration 

The B.A.A. and the Boston Marathon Medical Team have provided registered athletes with information on proper fueling through various participant newsletter e-mails. It’s important for runners to be aware that there are many risks involved in running a marathon. It must also be understood that a runner’s susceptibility to a particular risk will depend on several different factors, including factors unique to the individual runner. Medical knowledge and medical therapies relating to dis­tance running are continuing to evolve and develop. 

Hyponatremia is a condition where the level of sodium in your blood is too low, causing an imbalance between water and sodium in your body. 

  • There are studies which indicate that females (a little more than males), runners with a slight build, runners that take over four hours to complete the course, and those taking nonsteroidal an­ti-inflammatory drugs (such as Advil, Motrin, Aleve, ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.) may be particularly susceptible to this risk. This is usually associated with weight gain.  
  • One suggestion for runners is to measure their weight before and after a training run. One should finish a long run at about the same weight or up to 2% below their pre-run weight. Changes above or below these levels may be predisposed to hyponatremia or hyperthermia, respectively.  
  • It’s your responsibility to understand your specific fluid needs and not over drink before, during, or after the event.  

Hydration (and dehydration) is an important plan to determine prior to the race. Develop and implement your individual plan for hydration. Be prepared to adjust your plan given the weather conditions and how you are feeling during the race. Learn to judge your fluid intake by your weight changes with running and in different conditions. 

  • As a rough guide, athletes on a pace of less than 3:30:00, drinking about 16 oz. per hour is usually adequate.  
  • If you’re on a pace to finish in more than 4 hours, about 8 oz. per hour is usually adequate.  
  • There are frequent water/Gatorade stations along the course for your convenience. 
  • However, it’s not necessary to stop at every station. This could result in over-hydration.  
  • It is also very important to not over-hydrate at the end of the race. Rehydration should be gradual over the next 24 hours.  
  • There are two ways to continually monitor your fluid status in training are to: 
  • Measure your weight, stripped down, before and after a run. You should gain no weight and typically lose up to 2% of your body weight.  
  • Make sure your urine stays yellow, not clear (overhydration) and not dark like apple juice (dehydrated), both are key indicators when determining your hydration status. 
  • One common misperception is that a runner should drink more on a hot day to avoid hyperthermia. The best method is to slow down the pace.  
  • It is also common for an overly hydrated runner, who does not feel well at the finish, to think they are dehydrated and continue drinking which could lead to seizures and death. 

WEATHER 

Preparing for Cold Weather 

April in New England can be cold and rainy, so it’s important to dress properly. 

  • Approximately 60% of body heat is lost from the head.  
  • At the 17-mile mark (entering Newton) when crossing Rte. 128, you may experience strong, cold, crosswinds.  
  • After you finish the race, change out of any wet gear as soon as possible. 
  • Heatsheet® Blankets will be available at the finish. This product helps retain body heat, in the event of cold weather, or reflects radiant heat, in the event of warm weather.  

Preparing for Warm Weather 

Heat is the number one risk for marathoners, leading to overheating and dehydration, especially in unpredictable weather like Boston’s April conditions. 

  • Slowing pace is advised when both heat and humidity are high. 
  • There is an increased risk of overheating if you are experiencing illness. 
  • Be aware of the signs of Heat Illness 
  • Weakness, heat sensation on the upper body, lightheadedness, confusion, blurred vision, shortness of breath, nausea, and vomiting. 
  • Tingling sensation in neck/shoulders, disorientation, profound weakness, collapse. 
  • Public Announcements 
  • Risk of heat illness and hypothermia will be announced in Hopkinton (Athlete’s Village and the start line). 
  • Extreme weather changes may occur post-race start. 
  • Hydration Guidelines 
  • Drink a pint of fluid 2 hours before the race. 
  • Regularly hydrate during the race as needed. 
  • Both water and Gatorade are available at hydration and aid stations. 
  • Avoid excessive fluid intake to prevent hyponatremia. 

Medical Expenses 

Participants are solely responsible for any medical expenses incurred from preparing and participating in the Boston Marathon.  These expenses include ambulance transfers to area hospitals during or after the marathon, hospital admissions, lab work, and any follow up care needed to address your injury or illness.