Medical Advisory

Distance running is demanding on the heart, lungs, muscles and joints. Most participants complete the Vedanta Pink City Half Marathon safely, but every year, at events worldwide, a small number of runners suffer serious medical events — usually those who were undertrained, unwell on the day, or unaware of an existing condition. The guidance below is intended to keep you in the first group.

1. Get a Medical Check Before You Train

We strongly recommend a pre-participation medical evaluation, particularly if any of the following applies to you:

• You are over 35 years of age and have not run a timed event before.
• You have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or are overweight.
• You smoke, or have smoked heavily in the past.
• You have a family history of heart disease or sudden cardiac death, especially before 55 years of age.
• You have ever felt chest pain, undue breathlessness, palpitations or dizziness during exertion.
• You have asthma, epilepsy, a bleeding disorder, or any chronic condition requiring regular medication.
• You are returning from surgery, injury or a prolonged illness.
• You are pregnant, or have recently given birth.

Ask your doctor specifically whether a resting ECG, an echocardiogram or a stress test is appropriate for you. Carry any clearance certificate with you on race day.

2. Do Not Start If —

• You have fever, a chest infection, a sore throat or flu-like symptoms in the days before the race. Running with a viral illness can inflame the heart muscle and has caused deaths at running events. Recovering fully and running next year is the right decision.
• You have chest discomfort, unusual breathlessness or palpitations, even at rest.
• You have vomiting, diarrhoea or significant dehydration.
• You are injured to the point of altering your gait.
• You have not trained for the distance you entered. Attempting 21.1 km untrained is the single most avoidable risk at any half marathon.

Your entry fee is not refundable in these situations — see the Cancellation & Refund Policy — but your health is worth considerably more than the fee.

3. Train Adequately

• Build weekly distance gradually. A common guideline is to increase weekly volume by no more than about 10% at a time.
• Complete several long runs approaching your race distance before race day. Do not attempt your longest ever run for the first time in the event itself.
• Train at a similar time of day and in similar conditions to the race, so that your body is accustomed to an early start.
• Taper — reduce your training load in the final one to two weeks — so that you arrive rested.
• Practise your race-day nutrition and hydration during training. Race day is not the time to try a new gel, drink or shoe.

4. In the 24 Hours Before

• Sleep adequately, and hydrate steadily through the previous day.
• Eat a familiar meal. Avoid alcohol and any unfamiliar food.
• Do not take a painkiller prophylactically to mask an existing pain. NSAIDs before or during endurance exercise increase the risk of kidney injury, particularly in the heat.
• Write your emergency contact number and any critical medical information on the reverse of your bib.
• Pin your bib on the front of your torso, visible at all times — medical teams identify you by it.

5. During the Race

• Start conservatively. Going out faster than your trained pace is the most common cause of distress in the closing kilometres.
• Drink to thirst at aid stations. Both dehydration and over-drinking are dangerous — excessive plain water can cause hyponatremia, a dilution of blood sodium that can be fatal.
• Use the electrolyte drink provided if you are a heavy or salty sweater.
• If conditions are warm or humid, slow down and abandon your target time.
• Do not accept medication or supplements from strangers on the course.

6. Warning Signs — Stop and Seek Help

Stop running immediately, move to the side of the road, and signal to the nearest marshal or medical volunteer if you experience:

• chest pain, pressure or tightness, or pain radiating to the jaw, neck or left arm;
• severe breathlessness out of proportion to your effort;
• palpitations, or an irregular or racing heartbeat;
• dizziness, light-headedness, confusion, or feeling faint;
• sudden severe headache, or blurred vision;
• nausea or vomiting;
• stopping sweating, or the skin becoming hot and dry — a sign of heat stroke;
• muscle cramps that do not settle, or sudden severe muscle pain;
• chills or goosebumps in warm conditions.

Do not attempt to “run it off”. Stopping and being assessed costs you a finish time; not stopping can cost considerably more. If you see another runner in difficulty, alert a marshal immediately.

7. Medical Support at the Event

• Medical posts, ambulances and trained volunteers are stationed along the route and at the finish, as published in the race instructions for this edition.
• Medical personnel and the Race Director may examine you and withdraw you from the race at any point. That decision is final, and it is made for your safety.
• By registering you consent to emergency treatment if you are unable to give consent at the time. The cost of hospital care beyond on-course first aid is your own responsibility, subject to any insurance arranged for participants. See the Waiver.

8. After You Finish

• Keep walking for several minutes rather than sitting or lying down immediately.
• Rehydrate steadily and eat within the hour.
• Report to the medical tent if you feel unwell, however minor it seems.
• Seek medical attention afterwards if you notice dark or cola-coloured urine, reduced urination, persistent vomiting, severe or worsening muscle pain, or confusion — these can indicate rhabdomyolysis or kidney injury and need prompt treatment.

9. Younger and Older Participants

Minimum ages for each category are set with safety in mind: Half Marathon (21.1 km) — 18 years; Cool Run (10 km) — 15 years; Dream Run (5.5 km) — 12 years. Parents and guardians should ensure a young participant is properly hydrated, appropriately dressed, accompanied to the venue, and knows where to find you at the finish. Older participants, and anyone with a chronic condition, should be especially careful to obtain medical clearance and to run conservatively.

10. Questions

For medical questions specific to the event, contact us at info@anybodycanrun.com or +91 9610000951 well before race day. For questions about your own health, speak to your doctor.

Contact Us

For any question about this policy, write to us and we will respond within 2 (two) working days: