A Warning For Long-Distance Runners

Marathon runners may feel young and healthy, but they must tune in to warning signs of a potentially deadly syndrome.

Adventure travel is one of the fastest growing segments of the travel industry. And in Hong Kong, we love it. We travel to amazing places to cross deserts, to climb mountains and, in particular, to run marathons. These days, fit travellers really are earning their cocktail by the pool! Many expats are adventurous and super-fit.

So, this story might be a bit spooky, because it starts with a super-fit adventure traveller who ended up having the fright of his life. We’ll call him Clark, to keep his identity a secret.

Clark’s Story

In his 40s, Clark had been competing in marathons for over 10 years. Living in Hong Kong, he’d entered races both at home and away. He loved the experience of running marathons and had not suffered from significant health problem. He was a healthy and fit runner.

In 2018, Clark took his running shoes and jumped on a plane to compete in a marathon in Japan. All was going well for most of the run, but towards the end, he faltered and passed out while on the course.

Luckily, under the guidance of an on-site medical team, Clark regained consciousness. Medics attributed this loss of consciousness to a potential case of exhaustion. As an avid runner, he quickly recovered, travelled back to Hong Kong and continued his training for marathons and long-distance runs.