Hazardous activities abroad

When travelling to take part in a marathon in another country, insurance for the trip is perhaps one of the last things you think about. The training plan was put into action months ago and the footwear has been carefully considered, but insurance is often one of those last-minute things you remember, along with currency and locating your passport under piles of bills.

I just discovered that our annual multi-trip travel insurance specifically states it does not cover long-distance or marathon running, and yet does include elephant rides, shooting (rifles), rugby, and motorcycling. An interesting choice of potentially hazardous activities which I would have thought placed at least as high as running in the injury stakes. It is also interesting that in the policy I eventually bought, they specify 'amateur' runners only are covered- surely you are more likely to get injured if you are an amateur not less, as you are more likely to be inadequately prepared, suffering from existing medical conditions, or attempting your first race, and are without the benefit of a professional support team watching over you. As a professional you will have careful monitoring of your training and health on the day, and possibly will have spent time training in the race conditions beforehand whereas amateurs may be forced to go from chilly britain to running under intense sun within a short time frame, making dehydration and fatigue more likely and raising the risk of injury. Of course, these factors which affect performance and health should be considered by any runners attempting a race abroad, but I find it interesting what insurance companies classify as risk.

It is also notable how many companies go to the trouble of mentioning in their policy odd sports such as tug-o-war and hurling. Are there really many people who travel overseas to take part in a tug-o-war? And if so, where are they going, because that sure sounds like a fun holiday!