Despite our couch potato reputation, more people are running marathons in the U.S. In fact, between 2010 and 2023, more than 29 million people went the distance.

In the past, the strenuous, prolonged cardiovascular effort has resulted in the occasional racer experiencing a fatal heart attack. Now, however, that risk has dropped.

According to a study from Emory University, which builds on a 2012 investigation into cardiac arrests in long-distance races, survival rates have doubled since 2010.

The study shows that while the rate of cardiac arrests among marathon runners remains steady, the number of deaths has dropped by around 50%.

There is no central registry for race-related cardiac events, so researchers collected data from race directors, media reports and other sources to get a clear picture.

The key takeaway is that survival rates have improved thanks to better emergency response systems, increased risk awareness and the widespread availability of defibrillators.

In fact, survival rates now resemble those seen in public places like airports.

For all you runners out there, the study highlights the importance of CPR training, accessible defibrillators on courses and recognizing at-risk runners before the race begins.

Identifying individuals, particularly older adults with undetected cardiovascular risks, doesn’t mean they can’t participate in a race — it just provides an opportunity to enhance preventive care and lower the risk.

In short: A little preparation and awareness can go a long way in making these events safer for everyone … who wants to run 26.2 miles for fun, that is.