MEDICAL STATISTICS FOR 2023 COMRADES RACE DAY
With 16072 Comrades Marathon runners on the start line on Sunday, 11th June 2023, and 14896 finishers, the 96th Comrades Marathon enjoyed an astounding 92,68% finish rate which is recorded as the seventh highest ever finishing rate in the race’s 102 year history.
The Comrades Marathon’s Medical portfolio was also ready and able to deal with any medical eventuality should any have arisen. Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) Medical Convener, Dr Jeremy Boulter has issued the medical statistics for the 2023 Comrades Marathon.
350 runners received medical treatment at the Finish Venue Medical Facility at the Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Cricket Stadium. Of these, the majority of athletes were attended to at the main Medical Tent while a small percentage received R&R, rubdowns, strapping, massage and mild treatment at the St. John’s Tent.
51 patients were treated in hospital; of those, 24 were referred from the Medical Tent at the Finish whilst 27 were taken directly from the route. 20 patients were admitted into hospital and are all doing well.
The CMA has over the years, implemented extensive medical, emergency, first aid and physiotherapy provisions for its thousands of participants. Provided by Netcare 911 and Ampath Laboratories, these much-needed medical amenities are made available at strategic positions along the route and at the Finish Venue.
This comprises eight physiotherapy stations, a fleet of ambulances, several rapid response vehicles, a team of paramedics, a dedicated emergency helicopter, a 3-bed fully equipped ICU-type resuscitation area; a critical care emergency facility on the Finish Line and the St. John’s Ambulance Tent.
Dr Boulter says, ‘The Comrades Marathon is known as one of the world’s toughest endurance events. The aim of our extensive medical provisions is to allow us to help a runner in just about any medical eventuality should the need arise.’
He adds, ‘The majority of the runners who were attended to at the Medical Tent were dehydrated and exhausted. Although these are fairly minor symptoms, our medical staff had another busy Comrades Race Day on their hands but all within their grasp.’
