Ultra running risks study
A new study is linking repeated ultramarathon-level efforts to signs of premature ageing — researchers warn cumulative damage from races beyond the marathon could be significant. (20minutos.es) The paper flags a big unknown: how long the body actually takes to repair after multiple ultra events, which matters if you’re chasing UTMB qualifiers or long-term trail goals. (20minutos.es)
The paper, titled "Long‑distance trail running induces inflammation‑associated protein, lipid, and purine oxidation in red blood cells," was published in Blood: Red Cells & Iron (DOI 10.1016/j.brci.2026.100055) in the March 7, 2026 issue. (ashpublications.org)) Researchers applied integrated plasma and RBC multi‑omics — including proteomics, lipidomics and metabolomics — to blood drawn from 23 athletes sampled immediately before and after two trail races: the 40‑km Martigny‑Combe→Chamonix event and the 171‑km Ultra‑Trail du Mont‑Blanc (UTMB). (news.cuanschutz.edu)) The UTMB field showed pronounced inflammatory and metabolic shifts, notably large rises in interleukin‑6 and kynurenine, acylcarnitine accumulation, and depletion of pantothenate alongside extensive oxidized lipid species. (ashpublications.org)) Proteomic data flagged nonrandom methionine oxidation of antioxidant enzymes that correlated with measurable loss of red‑cell deformability, plus increased microparticle release and reduced hematocrit consistent with enhanced splenic (extravascular) clearance. (ashpublications.org)) Authors report the molecular signature after the 40‑km race was detectable but substantially amplified after 171 km, and they explicitly compared these exercise‑induced lesions to oxidative damage accrued in stored donor blood used for transfusion. (ashpublications.org)) Lead author Travis Nemkov, PhD, said the data do not yet provide firm guidance on whether athletes should stop competing, and the manuscript discloses that several authors are founders or advisors to Omix Technologies, Hemanext and Macopharma. (hematology.org))
