What was it like to run the LA Marathon?

Chris Goldsworthy, a 30-year-old diagnostic technician with Mercedes-Benz ran the LA Marathon in extreme heat over the weekend. We talked with the Breslau, Ont., man about the race and how the organizers dealt with record-breaking temperatures in the California city.

Canadian Running: Why did you want to run the LA Marathon?

My brother-in-law and his wife live south of LA. They mentioned last summer they were going to run the LA marathon and suggested I run it with them. I’d run a few halfs before and was looking for a full. This one seemed appealing because of the net downhill and the vacation that goes with it.

CR: When did you first hear that the temperature was going to be as hot as it was? What was your reaction?

I heard about the crazy heat about 10 days out from race day. I was really disappointed because I had a goal time in my head that was going to be very challenging. After training through a tough, cold winter and dealing with a minor injury from slippery training, the last thing I wanted was a crazy hot race day for my first marathon.

CR: How did it affect your race?

I managed to run 3:04:09. I had it a lot easier than people running four or more hours. I think it was still under 30C when I finished.

The heat was really tough. I was pouring water on myself at every aid station and I would be dry by the next one. They had aid stations at every mile with tons of water and Gatorade. I decided to run with the 3:05 pace group. Originally I had wanted to run 2:55. I’m glad I did; I couldn’t have run any faster. The 3:05 group started at 30-40 people and by the finish was only five were left. The pacer, Harvey Lewis, last years Badwater winner, was amazing. Harvey really made my race.

CR: Did you think the race did a good job of dealing with the heat? What types of services did they offer to runners?

The race was well prepared for the heat. They did everything possible to combat the heat. Moved up the start time, cooling buses on course, cold sponges, ice and towels, more water and Gatorade. They chose not to display the gun time at mile markers to encourage people to slow down. Medical tents every two miles starting at six miles.

Even with all that there were a lot of people that struggled with the heat. A number of people in our group were falling off pace, even people who had run much faster before. My sister in law ran 4:48 and she said there were people collapsing around her. Fainting from the heat while running. The first aid was well organized and seemed efficient. We saw a number of people on stretchers in the back of UTV’s being shuttled to the ambulances.

CR: In retrospect, do you think it’s safe to hold races that long in weather that hot?

Luckily everybody was ok! I don’t think they should have cancelled the race. I feel it is every athlete’s responsibility to listen to their body and know when to back off or quit. Elites drop out all the time. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t. It would have been very upsetting to train through that cold winter, travel 3,500 km and have the race cancelled at the last minute.