He also writes:
Make clear to first-time marathoners what elite runners already know: in certain situations it’s important to back off from the gut feeling to exert yourself more and more just to maintain the pace.
•
Change the standard ambulance procedures so that only those truly in danger are transported. Doctors will tell you that dehydration can often be initially handled on the scene, but many ambulance protocols call for sufferers to be transported automatically to the hospital.
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Make dropping out palatable. Runners, especially first-timers and those running for charity, should be given the option of getting their money back and perhaps a guaranteed entry at a major marathon in the near future. Race directors could easily cooperate on this. Peer-group and self-imposed pressure to follow through on months of training should be alleviated as much as possible. Fund-raising groups should underwrite a second try for those giving so much of themselves for the benefit of others.
•
If necessary, turn off the clock.
Race directors will vehemently disagree on post-race refunds--the logistics of the undertaking could in the long run make entering races more expensive. But Shorter's entire op-ed is filled with this and other ideas worth considering.
Thanks to Marathon Pundit reader Brian P. of Chicago's western suburbs for tipping me off to the Shorter article.
Related post:
A participant's view of the cancelled Chicago Marathon: UPDATED
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