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"Race Lawsuit"

By: Randy Step

Court says runner can sue race host. Drink shortage may have led to brain injury.

Welcome to my world! As an extreme race director I try to keep abreast of lawsuits involving events. The above headline is taken from The San Francisco Chronicle Wednesday, May 8, 2002. The article is quoted below.

Bob Egelko, Chronicle Staff Writer

"… A runner who collapses because race organizers failed to set out enough drinks along the course has grounds for a lawsuit, a state Appellate court ruled Tuesday. An organization that stages a marathon "Has a duty to organize and conduct a reasonably safe event, which requires it to minimize the risks without altering the nature of the Sport," said the Court of Appeal in San Diego. That includes providing Adequate water and electrolyte fluids along the 26- mile course, the Court said."

The runner involved ran the inaugural Rock & Roll Marathon in San Diego. Later that day the man had a seizure from low sodium, a condition called hyponatremia. This article stems from the success of an appeal. It only means that the case can go to court, not that the race will be found guilty or not guilty of any negligence. The lower court had initially thrown it out stating that hyponatremia was an inherent risk of marathons. The judge relied on a 1992 state Supreme Court ruling barring suits over sports injuries that result from ordinary risks of the sport.

Continued: "Race Lawsuit"

Dearborn Heights,MI - April 1, 2023

caturner: My second half marathon.Lots of fun, but a bit windy. I loved all the martian apparel, and the volunteers were great. I contemplated stealing a hooded sweatshirt off of a volunteer, but they all looked like they could run faster than me. Run, earthling, run.

lynnzbeg: 4-1-06. Walked it with a girl I met that morning. There appeared to be very few walkers, but, it was indeed "walker friendly." Slight hills, basically flat. Improved my time quite a bit.

jmorford: It was my first half on a course with which I was familiar. I ran faster than my usual pace so I'm very pleased. Cool shirt, too.

theferg000: This race was a bit cold, the course is very flat and fast, definitely a possible PR course! Only 2,000 people in the whole event- Marathon, Half, 10k and 20 Mile training run. Not many spectators, very quiet race.

kmorrissey: Pretty flat, easy to navigate course. Very well organized.

RunningProf: Enjoyed seeing this event grow over the recent years. This years weather was about as good as it has ever been for a martian. Keep up the good work and try working a deal with the aliens to swap a lil wind for sun next year :) This was a great tune-up for my trip to Boston in two weeks! Thanks to all the volunteers and sponors, you did not go unoticed by me.

jakeman: My first half marathon, ran it on April Fool's Day 2006. Wanted to do it under 2:30 and did it in 2:06:22. It was against a cool breeze on the way out but was great on the way back in. Disappointed in the post race refreshments, not much left when I got to the gym. But overall, a good race.

tycorle: It was fun. Nice course, no major hills. Will definitely run again next year!

dac24:This was my first half marathon, and I beat my goal by 3 minutes. The weather was perfect for running, considering it's April in Michigan.

ellishm: I PR'd...What else can I say! Nice, mostly flat course. Hardly any spectators. Running through the park made it feel like you were in the middle of the country.

busytriguy: Nice course. Headwind sucked. Tailwind rocked. Well organized. Best post race buffet I've ever seen.

kkelly: A grey, windy, overcast day, but an enthusiastic group of runners and lots of volunteers manning the water stops made for an enjoyable race. Lots of good food at the end. Having the wind at our backs for the second half of the race helped a lot. A good time -- I'll plan to make it a regular event.

grypnytail: I had a good race, it was a nice course. I liked the asphalt without traffic. The after race food was scarce. A friend came along and late registered, didn't get a shirt, still had to pay full price. I thought that was wrong.

ghoag007: Fairly flat, just some small rolling hills. Windy day but it was nice because it was at yoru back the second half of the race. Out and back course without many spectators. Overall I was pleased.

pope3459: It was a good race, although very windy on the way out. I liked the "stuff" I bought from the expo; Martians galore!

JWH: First trip in from Mars. You earthlings know how to put on a race. Had trouble with the white, red, blue green and no numbers. I guess they represented different planets. Will come back next year if your gas prices aren't too high for my space ship.

kmoll4: My first Half Marathon ever-2006. Nice race, it was a bit cold but it was fun. I ran the first half slower to get to know the race, and then the second half I picked it up. I am anxious to really train and run another!

Gulliver: PR for me -- fast course or good training? I dunno. Prefer to think good training but I know the wind at my back in the second half was a big, big help. On to the Flying Pig!

15th RE/MAX Preferred Trailbreaker Marathon and Half Marathon

Waukesha,WI - April 1, 2023

lrkennedy: Race was okay. It was a smaller race. The course is an out and back on both city streets and paved trails. Mile markers were few. Only the first 4 miles were marked. Also, the only bathrooms were in a building and not all were working. A bit disappointing for a 15th year race.

25th Sedalia Half Marathon

Sedalia, MO - April 1, 2023

easley45: It was a great small race - well organized and the unique awards were worth coveting. One of the only times I ever wished I were fast enough to win something.

Capital City Half Marathon

Columbus,OH - April 1, 2023

DTomblint: I did this one on April 1, 2023 - weather was good for running, but my knees again, gave me problems and slowed me down. I have a fun time though.

runnergirl: Great Race! Weather was perfect. A PR for myself, even with a sore knee. Expo was extremely small.

dshipe: Great race! Weather was perfect for running. Plenty of parking close by, which is great for a big city. Made it easy to get to. Made it through the OSU campus – as a U of M fan I was a bit concerned!!! Plenty of water and Gatorade. I especially like the clocks at each mile marker. They let me know just how well I was doing. And I did great, a new personal best at 1:58:15. Thanks John and Jenny.

30th Glass City Marathon

Toledo,OH - April 2, 2023

runpeterun: Nice early spring race along the banks of the mighty Maumee river, be sure to stop at Tony Packo's after the the race to refuel.

babbee: THE COURSE WAS NICE AND WATER STATIONS WERE GOOD FOR THE 2ND HALF (I ONLY RAN THE 2ND HALF). THE BIGGEST UPSET WAS THAT THEY DID NOT AWARD MEDALS FOR THOSE RUNNING THE 1/2 MARATHON RELAY AND THERE WAS NO HALF MARATHON OFFERED.