OBJECTIVE: To describe the baseline characteristics of @entity1 starting a 25-week marathon training program, and their relationship to @entity130 . DESIGN: Prospective survey. SETTING: Community-based marathon training program. @entity1 : 1,548 of 2,314 registrants for the Houston Fit Marathon Training Program (mean age 35.8 +/- 9.3 years, mean body mass index 24.3 +/- 3.9, 63% female). INTERVENTION: 4-page survey administered at registration. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Running experience, training practices, demographics, chronic medical problems and previous injuries. RESULTS: Females were more likely to be classified as underweight and males as overweight or @entity28 (p < 0.0001). The mean number of years of running experience was 6.2 +/- 6.2. Most (87.5%) planned to train at a 9-minute mile or slower pace. 52.3% of the @entity1 had not previously trained for a marathon. In the 3 months prior to starting the program 16.1% had been sedentary. Those runners who had not previously completed a marathon and not previously trained with Houston Fit had a higher prevalence of baseline training techniques that could be risk factors for injury. During the previous 3 years, 38.1% reported having an injury, and 35% of all injuries were still symptomatic at the start of the program. CONCLUSIONS: Training programs for the marathon attract more female athletes and those with less running and marathon experience. The prevalence of being overweight or @entity28 @entity3482 .6%. 16.1% are sedentary during the 3 months before starting this program. Training programs must take measures to establish baseline @entity410 , to educate on injury prevention training techniques, and to set appropriate @entity410 goals. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The research study shows that many @entity1 wanting to start a marathon training program are relatively untrained and inexperienced with reference to endurance running. These @entity1 will need special care and education so as to minimize injury and maximize the effect on their physical activity habits.

Baseline XXXX for runners starting a marathon training program.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['participants', 'patients', 'PARTICIPANTS'] @entity3482 :: ('MESH:C057085', 'Chemical') :: ['is 35'] @entity410 :: ('MESH:D012640', 'Disease') :: ['fitness'] @entity28 :: ('MESH:D009765', 'Disease') :: ['obese'] @entity130 :: ('MESH:D014947', 'Disease') :: ['injury risk factors']
@entity130 :: (MESH:D014947,Disease) :: ['injury risk factors']
