MEDICAL STATISTICS FOR 2024 COMRADES RACE DAY
With 18884 Comrades Marathon runners on the start line on Sunday, 9 June 2024, and 17313 finishers, the 97th Comrades Marathon enjoyed a 91,68% finish rate. The Comrades Marathon’s Medical portfolio was also ready and able to deal with any medical eventuality should any have arisen.
555 runners received medical treatment at the Finish Venue Medical Facility at the HollywoodBets Scottsville Racecourse. 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.
79 patients were treated in hospital; of those, 31 were referred from the Medical Tent at the Finish whilst 48 were taken directly from the route. 21 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, 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.
CMA Chief Medic, Dr Jeremy 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.’
The Comrades Medical Facility has been described as the largest temporary medical facility outside of a conflict or disaster zone, anywhere in the world.
