The organizers of this year's Xiamen International Marathon, set to run on March 26, have given an undertaking to provide adequate medical back-up to ensure no repeat of the tragedy which blighted last October's Beijing International Marathon.
"In order to provide timely and effective medical treatment for runners, especially the amateurs, we have made a number of arrangements," said Yang Shuyu, director of the Medical Security Department of the organizing committee.
In addition to a campaign to warn would-be runners of the need to be properly physically prepared, fit and undergo a health check ahead of the race, a number of medical stations or treatment stops will line the 42.195km-route.
"We will set up medical first aid centres every two kilometres and 500 medical workers will be on hand," said Yang.
"Doctors can be found every 25 metres and 14 ambulances, each with a cardio expert on board will be on standby."
During last year's Beijing International Marathon, two amateur runners, a college student and a retiree, collapsed and died. The incident led to calls by athletics officials over the need for participants to be properly prepared.
Wang Dawei, vice-director of the Chinese Athletics Administrative Centre, has warned those amateur runners planning to take part, to pace themselves cautiously.
"Every sport has its dangerous side, so amateur runners should join the competition according to their own physical condition," he stressed. "People should run for enjoyment and to keep healthy, not the blind pursuit of victory."
In another move, registration fees, have for the first time in the event's three-year history included a 200,000 yuan (US$24,390) insurance premium.
"We require all those registering to accept the basic insurance, which can be increased if they choose to pay more," said He Xi, vice-director of Xiamen Provincial Sports Bureau.
It is estimated that the 2005 C&D Xiamen International Marathon will attract 18,000 runners.
Up to now, several world top-class marathon runners have confirmed they will take part. They include Kenya's Japhet Kosgei, the 1999 Rotterdam and 2000 Tokyo Marathon winner, Raymond Kipkoech, the 2002 Berlin Marathon winner and the defending champion James Moiben.
The competition will include men's and women's full marathon, half marathon, 10km race and 5km race. The men's and women's full marathons also serve as the China National Marathon Championships.
The winners of the men's and women's full marathon will pocket US$25,000 and US$15,000 respectively. And a US$100,000 pot is up for grabs for any runner in the full marathon who breaks the existing world's bests.
(China Daily March 8, 2005)
