Inside the Cape Town Marathon: Event Medicine, Risk & Readiness with Dr Darren Green

Inside the Cape Town Marathon: Event Medicine, Risk & Readiness with Dr Darren Green

Author: South African Sports Medicine Association October 13, 2025 Duration: 42:14

In this SASMA Podcast episode, host Aasha sits down with Dr Darren Green—Chief Medical Officer for Mediclinic Corporate Events and CMO to flagship races and rugby tournaments—to unpack how a city readies itself, medically and operationally, for the Cape Town Marathon as it bids for Abbott World Marathon Majors status. Dr Green lifts the lid on the real engine room of race day: ER24’s pre-hospital response, doctor–nurse route stations, a 28-bed finish-line race hospital with ICU capability and rapid cold-water immersion, and the live Venue Operations Centre coordinating police, traffic, disaster management, and medical dispatch in real time. He explains how spring weather, heat, wind, humidity, and radiant tar impact risk and performance, and walks through the most common clinical presentations—from heat illness, hyponatremia, and rhabdomyolysis to MSK overload and postural hypotension—plus practical prevention for runners. We also spotlight the 100+ UCT and Stellenbosch volunteers gaining frontline experience and the broader public-health legacy of hosting a world-class marathon in Africa.


Produced by the South African Sports Medicine Association, SASMA connects the dots between clinical research and the real-world demands of training and competition. This isn't just a lecture series; it's a vital dialogue for anyone invested in athletic performance and well-being. You'll hear experienced sports medicine professionals in candid conversation with the physicians, physiotherapists, sports scientists, and psychologists who work at the forefront of the field. Their discussions delve into the practical applications of new studies, break down emerging treatment innovations, and debate evolving best practices. Whether you're an athlete fine-tuning your recovery, a coach designing safer programs, or a medical practitioner looking to deepen your knowledge, this podcast serves as an ongoing seminar. The conversations are detailed and nuanced, offering actionable insights that bridge the gap between the journal article and the clinic, the lab and the field. Tune in to SASMA for a thoughtful exploration of how the science of sports medicine is continuously refined, challenged, and put into practice.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 43

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