Former world marathon champion Martin Fiz has issued a stark warning about the risk of death in amateur running ahead of the 2025 London Marathon.
Fiz, who clinched the gold medal at the 1995 World Athletics Championship, has expressed concern that the surging interest in long-distance running, paired with poor preparation, is contributing to a rise in fatalities among recreational participants.
"Unfortunately, we will have to get used to more accidents because more people are taking up running, many without proper preparation," Fiz told Diario del Triatlon. The 65-year-old points to two major causes: the expanding number of people lacing up their shoes and a general underestimation of the challenge posed by marathon distances.
"There are more runners and less respect for distances," he said. The running craze has turned marathons into mainstream events, often viewed by hobbyists as personal milestones rather than athletic pursuits that demand rigorous dedication.
"Marathons have become a trend, but for me, it's a way of life," said the Spanish athlete, who represented his country at the Olympic Games in 1992, 1996, and 2000. "The running boom has led people to lose their fear of distances because it seems the harder the challenge, the more participation there is."
The consequences of this shift in mindset have become tragically evident. Fatalities during half marathons and full marathons have increased, including the death of a participant during the Madrid Half Marathon earlier this year.
According to Fiz, many enthusiasts severely underestimate how much preparation is truly required. "A marathon cannot be prepared in three days; running it is the result of constant and continuous work," he said. "To do it, you must be prepared, and if not, you should start with shorter distances."
He also condemned the growing belief that completing extreme events like marathons or ultra-trails is the only path to legitimacy as a runner. "Amateurs are setting the wrong goals by thinking you're nobody if you don't run a marathon," he insisted.
"It's like mountain races where if you don't do an ultra-trail, you're not an athlete. We are completely misunderstanding the concept. We are disregarding distances."
Fiz recommends a more mindful approach to running. He advises developing smart training habits, eating well, getting medical evaluations, and slowly increasing endurance over time. "Some are born to win and others to participate," he said. "Elite athletes are the ones who win Olympic medals, not amateurs, so enjoy it, and make the most of training."
With over 150,000 miles behind him - more than most cars rack up - Fiz is still a force in his sport as he nears his 70s. Earlier this month, he won the M60 division at the Berlin Half Marathon, overcoming cold weather and strong winds to notch his fifth SuperHalfs series win.
Even after a serious injury that sidelined him for four months in 2024, Fiz's commitment and perseverance have helped him return to elite form for his age group. "I'm very happy because after so many months injured, I've been able to compete at a good level again," he said.
He remains the only runner globally to have conquered all six Major Marathons in the Master 50 division - crossing the finish line first in New York, Tokyo, Boston, Berlin, Chicago, and London - earning him the coveted 'Six World Marathon Majors' title.
This year's London Marathon kicks off on Sunday, April 27, with organisers aiming to set a new record for the highest number of finishers, expecting over 56,000 participants.
The current record was established at last year's New York Marathon, where 55,646 runners completed the race.
