FIRST IMPACT
Ironman Bans Personal Photography
Reduced Cardiac Arrests
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etter medical response and training and the use of lifesaving equipment at races have improved survival rates from cardiac arrests, according to a study from the Race Associated Cardiac Event Registry (RACER). The study analyzed cardiac arrests that occurred during US marathons and half-marathons between 2010 and 2023, tracking how they happened, who’s most at risk, and survival rates. Of the 29 million recreational marathon and half marathon finishers there were 176 documented cardiac arrests—averaging one in every 166,667 runners. Of those, 117 individuals survived, resulting in a 66 per cent survival rate. This was an improvement over the 2000 – 2009 RACER study which was at 29 per cent. Men were the higher risk factor—1.12 per 100,00—with women showing 0.19 per 100,000. Perhaps not surprisingly marathoners were also at a higher risk than half marathoners—1.04 per 100,000 and 0.47 per 100,000 respectively. Of the 52 per cent of cardiac arrests coronary artery disease (CAD) was the most common medical issue. Other causes included an enlarged heart and exertional heat stroke but were less common. The conclusion was that despite increased participation in endurance races, rapid response from medical teams and the immediate availability of defibrillation and CPR led to increased survival rates. Source: Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)
Yeast Boosts Immune System
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f you are an Ironman athlete and used to taking images of your race, including that coveted selfie at the finish line, you are no longer allowed to do this. As of March, Ironman has amended their 2026 Global Competition Rules to ban all on-course communication including cameras, phones and smart glasses. Use of them will lead to disqualification. The rules state: “Using any device (e.g., including without limitation, cameras, phone cameras, video cameras, glasses, etc.) to capture photographs, video, or other visual images during the Race is prohibited. Athletes using any device in this manner will be disqualified.” Organizers cite safety is the reason behind this change, as well as protecting the integrity of the race and other athletes. They claim races are adequately covered by the official photographers. We wait to see the ramifications of this ban and if other races will consider this policy.
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xercise can have positive impacts on our immune system. As we go from being physically inactive to active, our infection risk declines. If we overtrain, however, as hardcore athletes often do, we may put excessive stress on our body and actually increase our risk of infection. Beta-glucan, a special type of fibre found in baker’s, nutritional, and brewer’s yeasts, may prevent this immune decline in marathon runners. Indeed, a study found that we can better maintain our level of circulating white blood cells after exhaustive exercise by consuming beta-glucan. Nutritional yeast may also help improve mood. Elite athletes normally experience mood deterioration before and after a marathon, but researchers found that a little nutritional yeast may improve a wide range of emotional states, reducing feelings of tenseness, fatigue, confusion, and anger, while at the same time increasing perceived vigor. A note of caution: People with the autoimmune diseases Crohn’s disease and hidradenitis suppurativa may want to avoid nutritional yeast. Source: www.nutritionfacts.org
12 I Running Issue 2026 I IMPACT MAGAZINE