With an extensive background in employee benefits and technology, Oregon professional Graeme Queen holds executive responsibilities with an insurance company. An avid runner, Graeme Queen has competed in a variety of 5k and 10k runs, and also completed a half dozen marathons to date.
A recent CNN article brought attention to a study that focused on the potential health benefits of running marathons. Conducted by a University College London faculty member who consults as a cardiologist with the University College Hospitals and Barts Heart Centre, the study tracked 138 competitors as they trained for and completed their first marathon.
Nearly evenly male and female, all participants were from the ages of 21 to 69 and without a significant medical history. They underwent examinations six months prior to starting training and within three weeks following their successful marathon run.
A major finding was that blood pressure was significantly reduced, while age-related stiffening of the main artery in the body was reversed. This resulted in an average four-year decrease in participants “vascular age.” Interestingly, these health benefits were not tied to a specific training regimen or how quickly people were able to complete the marathon course. The only unifying factor was that prior to training, participants had reported running less than two hours each week.
