Objectives: To determine the prevalence of self-reported pre-race chronic medical conditions and allergies in ultramarathon race entrants and to explore if these are associated with an increased risk of race-day medical encounters (MEs).Methods: Data from two voluntary open-ended pre-race medical screening questions (Q1history of allergies; Q2 -history of chronic medical conditions/prescription medication use) were collected in 133 641 Comrades Marathon race entrants (2014)(2015)(2016)(2017)(2018)(2019). Race-day ME data collected prospectively over 6 years are reported as incidence (per 1000 starters) and incidence ratios (IR: 95%CI's).Results: Pre-race medical screening questions identified race entrants with a history of chronic medical conditions and/or prescription medication use (6.9%) and allergies (7.4%).The % entrants with risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) was 30% and being older (>45years) and male (27.5%) were the most frequent CVD risk factors. 0.3% of entrants reported existing CVD. The overall incidence of MEs was 20/1000 race starters. MEs were significantly higher in race entrants reporting a "yes" to Q1 (allergies) (IR=1.3; 1.1-1.5) (p=0.014) or Q2 (chronic medical conditions and/or prescription medication use) (IR=1.3; 1.1-1.5) (p=0.0006).
Conclusions:Voluntary completion of two open-ended questions identified chronic medical conditions and/or prescription medication use in 6.9% and allergies in 7.4% of ultramarathon race entrants. This is lower than that reported for other races that implemented compulsory completion of a more comprehensive pre-screening questionnaire. Despite potential underreporting, a pre-race self-reported history of chronic medical conditions and allergies was associated with a higher risk of race-day MEs.
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