Abstract P312: Mortality Analysis: The Long-Term Health Benefits of 50-Mile Ultra-Marathon Participation Outweighs the Risks, 1951-1979

Abstract

Introduction: Aerobic exercise training yields numerous health benefits including a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and improved overall health. However, there are concerns that “excessive” exercise can have delirious effects. For example, research reveals elevated cardiac injury biomarkers (i.e., cardiac troponins) following participation in ultra-marathon competitions (running races >26.2 miles). However, the long-term clinical implications of ultra-marathon participation remains unknown. Hypothesis: The extreme cardiac stress of ultra-marathon running may lead to earlier death rates among the most elite participants. Methods: The 150 fastest finishers of 50-mile ultra-marathons from 1951-1979 were identified using the “Ultra Marathon Statistics” database (http://statistik.d-u-v.org/). Online search engines and databases were used to identify each runner’s birthdate and date of death (if deceased) or most recent date known to be alive. Kaplan Meier curves with median survival times were computed using the available data. Results: Data from 58 elite ultra-marathoners were identified with a high-level of confidence as confirmed by a minimum of two reviewers. Twenty-four of these athletes were deceased (median age of death = 73.0 years, interquartile range = 15.2 years, range = 36.0-98.7 years, median birthyear = 1936), and 34 were last known to be alive (median age = 75.7 years, IQR = 9.4 years, range = 62.0-88.8y, median birthyear = 1943). The median 50 mile finish time was identical for each group (5h 43min; pace of 6min 51.6 seconds per mile). The Kaplan Meier curve yielded a median survival time of 85.8 years (95% confidence interval = 80.8 to 90.7 years). Conclusion: The lifespan of elite ultra-marathon runners is greater than that of the general population. The long lifespans of elite athletes completing 50-mile races suggests the long-term health benefits of ultra-marathon participation outweigh the risks. Future research should investigate the mortality of elite athletes competing in longer ultra-marathons (e.g., 100M, 6-day races) to ascertain whether mortality rates differ from those training for and completing 50-mile races.