On October 27, in Chengdu, Dr. Luo Jun, an associate chief physician at Chengdu Bayi Orthopedic Hospital, expressed immense pride in his dual role as both a marathon runner and a medical provider on the racecourse. He completed his third Chengdu Marathon, achieving a time of 3 hours, 35 minutes, and 49 seconds.
Dr. Luo noted, “As an orthopedic doctor, I feel a deep sense of pride being part of the marathon and providing medical assistance to fellow runners along the way.” This year, among the 35,000 participants in the Chengdu Marathon, there were 150 physician runners, with about 40% of them having previously served in this capacity. Notably, nine of these physicians have participated in the event for six consecutive years.
Reflecting on his marathon experience, Dr. Luo shared his strategy: “While I finished under three hours in the Chongqing Marathon, I aimed for no less than 3 hours and 30 minutes here because I need to keep an eye out for runners who may need assistance during the race.” He explained that physician runners must assemble in the designated areas according to their finishing times to ensure full coverage of the racecourse.
This year marks Dr. Luo’s third year participating in marathons. He believes the most significant benefit he has gained is not just improved cardiovascular fitness or stronger leg muscles, but rather a more resilient mindset. “Not everyone can complete a full marathon, and not everyone has a habit of regular exercise. Staying active has made me more fearless, determined, and courageous.”
Dr. Luo has also noticed a surge in the number of individuals with active lifestyles surrounding him since he began running. “Before I started exercising, I wasn’t aware of how many people around me were already into fitness,” he remarked. In recent years, Chengdu has transformed many of its underutilized parks and urban spaces into public areas for fitness, allowing more citizens to “run whenever they want.”
While marathons have become one of the most popular sports, Dr. Luo cautions casual enthusiasts against hastily attempting a full marathon without proper training. “Before participating in a marathon, it’s crucial to consider whether you have any cardiovascular issues or sports-related injuries,” he advised, noting that individuals with certain skin allergies or higher body weight should avoid full marathons.
Dr. Luo emphasized that although marathons are extreme sports, adhering to a structured training regimen—running at least 150 kilometers a month while listening to your body—can significantly reduce the risk of injury. Additionally, he recommends that runners adequately warm up their joints and muscles before running, stretch after to relieve muscle tension, avoid overtraining, and seek prompt treatment for any minor injuries.
