Last September, four men taking part in the Great North Run died unexpectedly. Though the coroner's inquest continues, the cause of death is thought almost certainly to be Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (Sads), often called "adult cot death". Sads can happen at any time though is much more likely during physical exertion.

To the uninformed reader, deaths during marathons and sport in general might seem to be reported more often now; the death of the Cameroon footballer Marc-Vivien Foe during a match in 2003 sticks in the mind. But does this mean they are happening more often? David Hart, communications director of the Great North Run, says: "Eight people had died in the previous 24 years, so for four to die [last] year is a tragedy." And it seems, despite the day's unseasonably hot weather, a coincidence. Men are statistically more at risk than women, not just because men tend to exert themselves more. Hart adds: "The 12 people who've died [in the run's 25-year history] have all been male, despite male-female participation being 50-50."