NEOMED students go the extra mile for the Akron marathon
Second-year medicine student Justin Iwuagwu shared his thoughts on recent service activities by the Intramural Athletics Council in the Akron Marathon Race Series. Iwuagwu serves as running chair for the NEOMED student group.
The Akron Marathon Race Series hosts three race weekends each summer. On Aug. 10, the Goodyear Half Marathon and 10k took place, followed by the FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon and Team Relay on Sept. 28. Celebrating 22 years, these events allow runners to qualify for world-class races, such as the Boston Marathon, or manage personal fitness as a means to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Thousands of runners, walkers and spectators took advantage of these races.
This year was different, as NEOMED students had a presence. My classmates gave back to the community by participating in the races and serving in the medical aid tents.
The roots of the marathon trace back to 490BCE, when, according to legend, Pheidippides ran to Athens with a message of victory in the Battle of Marathon. Today, marathons have evolved. Participants can run, walk or relay themselves to a finish line and celebrate achievements they once thought were not possible. Races have become a staple in our society to encourage healthy lifestyles for participants of all ages. Training for a marathon or half marathon takes months. However, this training can produce lifestyle changes that hopefully last a lifetime. Regardless of the reason, seeing thousands of people running is enough to encourage spectators to join a local gym or participate next year.
This year, NEOMED students were encouraged to volunteer in the races’ medical tents. This real-world classroom got students in the field and provided an opportunity to practice their skills under supervision. All while giving back to our community and representing NEOMED with pride.
Medical tents are a vital component to every race. With runners pushing their bodies past their limits, they can feel safe knowing they have a team of medical professionals on standby if anything goes wrong. Students spent a day tending to race-related injuries such as dehydration, heat stroke and muscle cramps. Experiences like this go beyond the textbook as students are thrust into a fast-paced environment while working alongside seasoned professionals. This experience not only sharpens our skills, but instills the importance of teamwork and communication, qualities that will be crucial throughout our medical careers.
Mark Villers (M2) notes, “Working the Goodyear Akron Half Marathon medical tent was a great experience! Supporting local athletic events is something I am very passionate about, and it was awesome to get some hands-on learning in the field. While volunteering, we were taught a few tips and tricks that can be used while caring for a patient with a sport-related injury. These will certainly come in handy for future sporting events that we attend or even for seeing a patient in the clinic. I am especially thankful for the Summa Health sports medicine clinicians who provided this opportunity for us to volunteer alongside them, including one of our very own NEOMED alumni, Dr. AuBree LaForce!”
The Akron Marathon Race Series not only gives NEOMED students the chance to support their community, but also allows us to become a part of it. Additionally, more than 15 NEOMED students participated in the races at no cost, thanks to the newly founded “Runnership” program. This initiative encourages a healthy, active lifestyle to students. This is important as nearly 40% of today’s doctors are classified as overweight. The “Runnership” program encourages our students to make healthy lifestyle changes, just as they expect their future patients to do. Additionally, participating in one of the races allows students to practice what they preach. By engaging with the community, it shows our commitment to health that extends beyond the hospital. This shared experience allows students to better empathize with their future patients – knowing what it takes to train for and run in a distance race.
The Akron Marathon Race Series was a wonderful experience for the students that participated. The partnership between Northeast Ohio Medical University and the Akron Marathon Race Series was a great success and I hope our students continue to engage with the race series as participants and volunteers.