Hospital-Based Event Medical Support for the Baltimore Marathon, 2002−2005

Objectives. We present a four-year, cross-sectional epidemiologic description of injuries andillnesses among Baltimore Marathon participants andthe evaluation, treatment, anddisposition of those conditions by an on-site event medical team led by physicians andstaff from an urban, academic emergency department. Methods.We analyzed data from injuries encountered during the marathon. Subjects presenting to a medical aid station along the course route or at the finish line were defined as “injured or ill” andwere prospectively divided into two groups: 1) a brief-encounter group and2) an extended-encounter group. Data collected included gender, presenting complaint(s), assessment, treatment(s), anddisposition. Results.Three percent (N = 1,144) of approximately 33,700 total participants over four years presented to medical aid stations during the Baltimore Marathon between 2002 and2005. Most participants (66%) did not require a full clinical evaluation. Common complaints encountered were dehydration (32%), musc...