Triathlon Risk Management Part III: Running

Race directors generally breathe a sigh of relief when the athletes are out of the water and off the bike. If no one drowned or got in a bike accident, the triathlon will most likely have been considered safe. My message to race directors is to not let down your guard after the bike. Runners have many opportunities to be injured and sometimes, fatally.

The biggest concern is that a runner might be hit by a motor vehicle. On an open course, this is an even greater concern. Whenever participants are running in coned areas on a road with motor vehicular traffic, there is the risk that an accident may occur. Cars don’t always stay in their lanes and athletes don’t always exercise caution when they are fatigued and focused on the race.

There are a number of safety precautions that race directors should emphasize during triathlons. First, athletes should be prohibited from using any kind of MP3 player, I-Pod, radio or cell phone, which will interfere with his or her ability to hear traffic noise and warnings. USA Triathlon Competitive Rules prohibit the use of such devices. Such rules should be consistently enforced.

Second, the running route should not intersect with the bike route. There should also not be any significant traffic interference on any part of the run course. If there is a problem intersection or area of the road, the race director should consider re-routing the course or using police officers and volunteers to assist cars and athletes in keeping a respectable distance away from each other.

Third, sufficient water and electrolyte drinks should be available at reasonable intervals for proper hydration of the athletes. This is particularly important for longer races and hot climes. Cooling mechanisms, such as sponges and sprinklers might be used where necessary.

Fourth, first aid should be available, including AED’s, for longer races. It may also be reasonable to monitor runners on the course to make sure that no one is having health problems. If an emergency arises, 911 can be called, or the athlete be given transport by race personnel to a first aid tent.

Fifth, the race course should be well marked so that athletes will stay on the course and not enter areas of traffic that may be dangerous.

Sixth, trip hazards on the course should be identified and eliminated. If such hazards cannot be eliminated, athletes should be warned about them with use of signage or cones. In some cases, the course can be designated around trip or slip hazards.
In short, running is a potentially dangerous third leg of a triathlon and caution should be exercised by following the above tips.