Of the 38,620 runners who participated in this year's Mumbai marathon, about 3,300 required medical attention.
While most of them were treated for cramps, dehydration and exhaustion, the marathon almost turned gloomy for six runners.
Exhausted: Anupama Dave (60) experienced a drastic surge in blood sugar level and irregular heartbeat while attempting the 4.3-km-long senior citizens’ run
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Massive heart attack
Narottam Thakkar, a 52-year-old businessman, never anticipated that pushing his limits would cause him a massive heart attack. u00a0Thakkar, who intended to complete the 21-km-long half marathon that started from Bandra, collapsed after covering a few kilometres. The paramedics patrolling the route on motorcycles spotted Thakkar with froth oozing from his mouth. After his resuscitation, Thakkar was transported to Jaslok Hospital on Peddar Road. “The patient’s heart had stopped beating for a while, but he was revived. Angiography revealed that he had three major blocks and was advised to undergo a bypass surgery,” said Dr Vijay D’silva, medical director of Asian Heart Institute, Bandra.u00a0
Severe dehydration
Rajendra Ayare (32) and Trushna Ashar (33), who suffered from severe dehydration, were admitted to Lilavati Hospital and GT Hospital respectively. A resident of Churchgate, Ayare could not fulfil his dream of completing the 42-km-long full marathon because he collapsed on his return journey. Having run four half marathons in the past, this year Ayare wanted to complete the full marathon. u00a0“I collapsed barely 30 minutes before making it to the finish line. I started at 5.40 am from CST and reached Bandra in less than an hour. I was on my way back when I collapsed u00a0in Worli,” said an unhappy Ayare. He said he practises for the marathon by running for six kilometres every day.u00a0
Major health issues
Three others who faced health issues were Oomen John (52), Anupama Dave (60) and Randeep Chopra (65). While John was hospitalised for severe acidity after completing the half marathon, Dave experienced a drastic surge in blood sugar level and irregular heartbeat while attempting the senior citizens run. Chopra fractured his ankle at Marine Drive while attempting the 4.3-km-long senior citizens’ run. He was admitted to the GT Hospital.
Medical set-up
The Asian Heart Institute (AHI) had set up 10 first aid stations along the route, two base (medical) camps — inside and outside Azad Maidan — with 80 beds. The camps were equipped to handle emergencies. u00a0In addition, a total of 10 ambulances with a doctor and nurse in each, along with 350 doctors, nurses, paramedical and support staff from AHI were on alert to attend to medical needs of the runners. Besides, six motorcycle-borne paramedics were patrolling every part of the course to pick up injured runners and transport them to the nearest first aid station.u00a0
Docspeak
“Very few participants of the full marathon and the dream run required medical help this year. However, we saw several untrained half marathoners within the age group of 30 to 40, who required medical attention,” said Dr D’silva. u00a0Dr Ramakanta Panda, vice-chairperson and cardiovascular thoracic surgeon, AHI, said, “Before participating in marathons, participants should get their medical check-ups done and train properly. Majority of the runners were not trained, but they still chose to run.” u00a0
4.3 kmu00a0Distance set for the senior citizens’ run at the Mumbai marathon yesterdayu00a0
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