Marathon medical support historical perspectives : 'from cradle to averting the grave'.

The history of marathon medical support is largely undocumented and anecdotal. Modern mass-participation marathon events attract thousands of variably trained and acclimatised participants to an event that is physically very demanding, in some cases covers difficult terrain, and may be held under stressful climatic conditions. Medical support for mass-participation events such as the marathon is directed at minimising the potential risks and avoiding the worst scenario where local medical emergency services and hospitals are flooded with casualties.