Press Release - London Marathon - 1/9/20

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

   Running a marathon improves artery health, according to new research

A new study that includes research facilitated by the London Marathon shows 
that training for - and running - a marathon improves the artery health of 
runners taking on the 26.2-mile challenge for the first time.

138 healthy first-time marathon finishers were assessed after undergoing 
six months of training and completing the 2019 Virgin Money London 
Marathon.

Cardiology experts from University College London, Barts Heart Centre and 
St George's University - including London Marathon Medical Director 
Professor Sanjay Sharma - found that training for and completing a marathon 
can lead to a four-year reduction in 'vascular age'.

The findings, published by the Journal of the American College of 
Cardiology, showed a reduction in central blood pressure and 'aortic 
stiffness', which increases with age and contributes to cardiovascular risk 
"even in healthy individuals," according to the study.

The study included runners aged between 21 and 69 years old, 49 per cent of 
whom were male.

The research also showed that older, slower runners who took part 
benefitted the most from training for and completing the event.

Visit our training pages for tips on preparing to run a marathon and how to 
stay healthy during training.

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