Ultra-Endurance Running Ages Red Blood Cells
New research shows that ultra-endurance running accelerates the aging of red blood cells, highlighting the physiological toll of extreme distance events. The study provides important health considerations for athletes considering ultra-marathon participation. Meanwhile, Olympic gold medalist Keely Hodgkinson says she feels "closer than ever" to breaking the women's 800m world record.
- The study on ultra-endurance runners found that after races, red blood cells become less flexible, which could hinder their ability to deliver oxygen and remove waste efficiently. The damage was more pronounced in athletes who completed a 171-kilometer (106-mile) event compared to a 40-kilometer (25-mile) one. - Beyond red blood cells, ultra-marathons induce significant muscle damage, with elevated levels of creatine kinase, and can lead to a temporary reduction in kidney function. - The research indicated that damage to red blood cells is caused by a combination of mechanical stress from intense blood flow, general inflammation, and oxidative stress. - The women's 800m world record, which Keely Hodgkinson is aiming for, is the longest-standing individual record in athletics, set by Jarmila Kratochvílová of Czechoslovakia on July 26, 1983, with a time of 1:53.28. - Hodgkinson's personal best in the outdoor 800m is 1:54.61. In February 2026, she broke the indoor 800m world record, running 1:54.87, indicating she is in strong form to challenge the outdoor record. - Hodgkinson is coached by the husband-and-wife team of Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows, who run the M11 Track Club. Painter believes Hodgkinson is still years from her peak performance.
