March 30, 2025JAMA39 citationsOpen Access
Cardiac Arrest During Long-Distance Running Races
View Full PaperPopulation
29,311,597 US marathon and half-marathon race finishers between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2023…
Comparison
Recreational long-distance running between… vs Historical reference standard of runners from…
Design
Cohort
Key result
Recreational long-distance running from 2010-2023 had a stable cardiac arrest incidence (0.54 per 100,000) compared to 2000-2009 (0.60 per 100,000), with a significant decline in cardiac death.
Authors
Discussion
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Overview
Stable arrest rates support runner safety counseling; leaves open whether resuscitation advances explain the mortality decline.
Study Design
Type
Observational (n=29,311,597)
Multicenter
Yes
Structured PICO
P
Population
29,311,597 finishers of US marathons and half-marathons between 2010 and 2023.
E
Exposure
Recreational long-distance running (marathon and half-marathon distance) between 2010-2023.
C
Comparator
Historical reference standard of runners from 2000-2009.
O
Outcome
Incidence proportions of sudden cardiac arrest and death.hard clinical
While the incidence of cardiac arrest during long-distance running has remained stable over time, survival rates have markedly improved, likely due to better emergency action planning and immediate access to defibrillation.
Main Result
Absolute Event Rate: 0.54% vs 0.6%
Cite This Study
Kim et al. (2025) conducted an observational in Cardiac arrest (n=29,311,597). Recreational long-distance running (marathon and half-marathon distance) vs. Historical reference standard (2000-2009) was evaluated on Incidence of sudden cardiac arrest (per 100,000 participants). Recreational long-distance running from 2010-2023 had a stable cardiac arrest incidence (0.54 per 100,000) compared to 2000-2009 (0.60 per 100,000), with a significant decline in cardiac death.