160 sign up for Highland mountain ‘death race’
Alistair Munro from the Scotsman.com knows all about a grabbing headline. It’s sad really that a journalist would not gather facts before writing an article.
READ THE ARTICLE HERE
What a sensationalist headline! Amazing how these things get blown out of proportion.
I provide accurate statistics from the ISF (International Skyrunning Federation) on 23-ryears of Skyrunning.
And I quote:
The total number of deaths in official international skyrunning races in
23 YEARS AND THOUSANDS OF RACES since 1992 is 7.
(or 6 if you don’t count the Malaysian veteran’s data).
ONE due to accident
Others due to heart failure
(i.e. People who should not be racing as they have a heart condition whether known or not).
Another reason to establish a compulsory medical certificate in all of our recognised races.
SWS:
1 due to accident, Kima Trophy, Italy, 2005
1 case heart failure Pikes Peak Marathon, USA 2005
1 case hypothermia Cavalls del Vent, Spain 2012
1 heart failure in Malaysia in the Veteran’s section (not our race) but the same event
(possibly shouldn’t be counted as Veteran categories are not in ISF ranking)
National races:
1 heart failure in Valtellina SkyRace, Italy 2011 (not during but after the race)
1 heart failure in the Tartufo Ultra marathon, Italy 2013
1 heart failure in Maratona del Cielo, Italy 2014
*By heart failure we mean pathologic condition where the heart can’t pump enough blood to
satisfy the requirements of the tissues during stress – i.e. In a race. Of course an autopsy can
confirm this pre-existing condition.
And to clarify this, we have had deaths at London Marathon and even 4-deaths in one half
marathon road race, the Great North Run:
What many don’t acknowledge is that Skyrunning appeals to and is a sport for qualified and
experienced runners. The Glen Coe Skyline even has a vetting procedure; you can’t ‘just’
enter this race.
Lets get rid of the sensationalist tacky ‘death’ headlines and look at the real facts.
Ian Corless – Skyrunning UK
Tagged: Alistair Munro, glencoe, ifs, isf, ohly, ourea events, risk of death, scotland, scotsman, Skyrunning, skyrunninguk
