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Marathon victim died from drinking too MUCH water
Last updated at 10:37am on 24.04.07
David Rogers, 22, who died after drinking too much water during the London Marathon
David Rogers collapsed at the end of the race and died yesterday in Charing Cross Hospital.
Today it emerged the fitness instructor from Milton Keynes died from hyponatraemia, or water intoxication.
This is when there is so much water in the body that it dilutes vital minerals such as sodium down to dangerous levels. It can lead to confusion, headaches and a fatal swelling of the brain.
In 2003 St Thomas' Hospital treated 14 runners for the condition.
The marathon on Sunday was the hottest in the event's 27-year history. Temperatures peaked at 23.5C, with "radiated heat" from the road reaching 27.5C.
Rogers' death came as race organisers faced criticism over water supplies running out at certain parts of the course, despite temperatures nudging 75F (23.5C).
As thousands were treated for heat-related illnesses and dehydration, sports experts called for the event to be held earlier in the year when temperatures are lower.
However Dr Sanjay Sharma, Medical Director of the marathon, said he did not believe the cause of Rogers' death was heat related.
A London Marathon spokeswoman said every care was taken to ensure runners were fit to compete.
More than 600 runners failed to complete the 26.2 mile course - including long-distance running legend Haile Gebrselassie who pulled out after 19 miles - as the unseasonable heat took its toll.
Mr Rogers, who finished the race in 3hr 30mins, was the ninth runner to die since the first London Marathon in 1981.
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The start of the London Marathon
His father, Chris Rogers, 52, paid tribute to "a happy-go-lucky lad who brought happiness to everyone".
Mr Rogers, of Westoning near Bedford, and his wife, Sarah, saw their son at Tower Bridge when he was "ecstatic", but at the end of the race learned he had been taken to hospital.
One medical expert said: "Ironically, hyponatraemia is more dangerous than dehydration."
A spokesman for the race said: "There were 27,600 bottles of waters on those stations on the latter half of the course. Some water stations did run out, even though we had brought in extra water."
Gordon Trevett, of the Department of Exercise and Health Sciences at Bristol University, said the event should be held earlier in the year as the sweltering weather put runners' health under greater strain.
He said: "I think it would be a good idea to move the marathon forward so competitors can run in lower temperatures."
But London Marathon chief executive Nick Bitel said the event would continue to be held at the same time of year.
He said: "Some people think the marathon should be later in the year so they can train in warm weather, and some people like to train in summer and think that a winter marathon would be better. We think we are at the right time of year."
Reader views (7)
My sincere condolences to David's family. I ran my first half marathon in very hot conditions last Sept. in Maui, Hawaii. It was reasonably cool when we first started (at 5.30am!!) but got hotter and hotter, especiallly so for the full marathon runners (33 degrees celsius, hottest day that week). We were given plenty of endurance drinks and regular water, we were hosed down, we got wet sponges etc - superheat VIP treatment! - to see us through the end of the races. A lot of runners unsurprisingly gave up because of the heat. I survived OK but drank 2 full bottles of endurance drink I was carrying (approx a pints worth each) plus numerous cups throughout, and loads more at the end, while recovering. I would be interested in finding out how much water the body can take during these events (specifically for half and full marathons), so as to try and limit myself - and spread the word around my runner friends! Thanks in advance...
- Celine Colas, Sophia Antipolis, France, 29/01/2010 14:00
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My deepest sympathies are extended to the familof David Rogers. May his family be spared further pain.
- Gary Rush, Montreal, Canada, 26/04/2007 16:21
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Water intoxication is real and it is serious. Rarely will it happen if you drink on a normal basis because of the ability to urinate and release that water but during a 3 hour + marathon where you cannot do that, this situation becomes very real.
- Mike Lasowitz, New York, NY, 25/04/2007 16:41
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I was quite shocked to hear that David died from taking too much water. I never thought such a thing existed. I always thought that people should take in as much water as they could to keep the body hydrated. I was astonished to hear you can run the risk of over-hydration. I drink litres of water a day. I will now consume a bit less. It's just a pity I learned this through someone's death. RIP David.
- David Molloy, Dublin, Ireland, 25/04/2007 12:54
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As a member of the David Lloyd Centre in Milton Keynes I remember Dave arriving to take up his role as a fitness instructor. He often did the Sunday evening shift and used to idle away his time talking to the (few) of us training at that time and offering advice. Ironically I used to do my running on Sunday eves and we used to talk about training and obviously his upcoming participation in the London Marathon during this time. To hear of Dave's sudden and tragic death has saddened me greatly as he truly was a really great guy, quiet and unassuming, and he shall be very sadly missed by all who use DLC.
- Michael Consitt, Milton Keynes, 25/04/2007 10:37
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I am very sad for someone so young, and thoughts are with the family/friends. Makes my complaint of what I thought was a slow time completely irrelavent. Guess it brings home the priorities in life. Will be contributing to Davids chosen charity.
- Shirley Watkins, Eastbourne, UK, 24/04/2007 22:40
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It seems ironic that we train through the winter months in harsh weather conditions such as snow, sleet, wind, ice and rain and so on, then the big day arrives in April where there is a good chance the weather will be considerably warmer as was the case this weekend. An earlier marathon would reduce the risk of such conditions and therefore result in less distress to runnings and organisers it would seem. Although, I thought the organisation as a first time runner was immense!
I would like to convey my deepest condolences to David Rogers family.
- Amy Jagger, Huddersfield, 24/04/2007 22:05
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