What If Something Goes Wrong?

A marathon is a long way to run, and anything can happen. Bad things do happen, even to good runners.

If you become ill or injured during a marathon, seek help at the next water stop. If the problem is minor, such as a side stitch or stomach cramp, walk for a few minutes, breathing deeply. If you have a muscle spasm or a muscle feels tight, pull over to the side of the road and stretch. Don’t panic. Walk as much as you need to. There is no reason to worsen a potentially serious injury just to meet your goal time or to finish. If you can finish by alternating running and walking, that’s fine. But if the injury or illness is extreme, you may have to seek care at a water stop or first aid station. You’ll be frustrated, but remember that you can always train for another marathon and use what you have learned during the training process to avoid problems in your next race.