Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Marathon Runners

Abstract

Gastrointestinal bleeding has been proposed to be a contributing factor in the development of 'runner's anaemia'. To study the incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding, 2–3 prerace and 2–3 postrace faecal samples from 63 marathon runners were tested for the presence of blood. Five of the participants had faecal blood before but not after the race. A reasonable explanation for the bleeding was found for four. Eight runners (13%) had positive tests for faecal blood after the competition. Clinical investigation disclosed no gastrointestinal disease. Postrace haematuria was discovered in another 13% of the runners. None of the runners observed overt gastrointestinal bleeding or haematuria, nor did anyone develop anaemia. Gastrointestinal disturbances related to running were reported by 54%. It is concluded that gastrointestinal complaints and gastrointestinal bleeding are prevalent among marathon runners.