Cerebrovascular accident in a 14 year old marathon runner

Abstract

Marathon running is now extremely popular, and the large, publicised national events attract fit, well-acclimatised competitors. Medical directors dissuade ill-prepared or unhealthy people from competing and provide adequate ambulance and medical services during races. None the less, the body's complex physiology is tested by the arduous exertion associated with marathon running, and ill effects may be experienced, even by young, healthy trained competitors. The authors report here the onset of a cerebrovascular accident in a 14 year old boy during a 13-mile marathon.