With the rapid development of China’s economy and the continuous improvement of people’s living standards, more and more people have taken a liking to outdoor adventures, mountain climbing, marathons, and other sports, and they never tire of them. Around me, there is a group of marathon enthusiasts who started with 10-kilometer races and half-marathons, gradually upgrading to full marathons and 100-kilometer runs. Some are even preparing to take part in a 330-kilometer “ultra-marathon” held abroad.
However, in recent times, frequent accidents during marathons and outdoor sports have drawn concerns and even opposition from these self-challenging, nature-loving “sports enthusiasts.” Their families may see such activities as “playing with death.”
The two participants who died suddenly during last year’s Guangzhou Marathon both felt unwell before collapsing. It was only because they did not realize the seriousness of the issue at the time that they met with tragedy—the lessons are indeed painful.
Friends who love sports like marathons are eager to keep pushing their limits. While their spirit of challenging themselves is certainly admirable, whether these sports enthusiasts have adequate awareness of physical protection and whether they have taken proper safety measures is an issue that deserves more attention.
It is undeniable that marathons and outdoor adventures provide sports enthusiasts with opportunities to exercise and challenge themselves. But they also come with risks of physical harm or even loss of life. Most of the accidents that occur are not unavoidable but are often caused by the lack of safety awareness and protective measures among organizers and participants. Marathons and outdoor sports are not about “taking risks” or “playing with death.” To safely “challenge oneself,” organizers need to be extremely cautious, and participants must avoid acting recklessly.
Many current outdoor activities are spontaneously organized by “travel enthusiasts.” Some organizers do so out of interest, but there are also individuals who treat it as a way to make money—focusing only on the business opportunities while neglecting essential aspects such as self-rescue training and emergency measures.
How can we satisfy the growing interests of the outdoor sports community while minimizing accidental injuries and bringing safer enjoyment to more outdoor enthusiasts? This requires organizers to put people first and strengthen safety measures, participants to cherish life and act within their capabilities, and relevant departments to step up industry guidance and regulation.