#Marathon

A small new study found high rates of precancerous colon polyps in marathon and ultramarathon runners. The research raised questions about extreme exercise and early-onset colorectal risk (New York Times) (New York Times).

The finding matters because many Thais run for health and for charity. The result may change how doctors advise endurance athletes in Thailand.

An oncologist in Virginia recruited 100 runners aged 35 to 50 for colonoscopies. He saw almost half with polyps and 15 percent with advanced adenomas (New York Times).

Experts say a warmup must match the workout you plan to do. This rule can cut injuries and boost performance immediately Runners World.

Warmups do not have a single correct length. Coaches prescribe short five-minute routines and longer twenty-minute routines depending on the workout Runners World.

This guidance matters for Thai runners who train in hot, humid conditions. Many large Bangkok races draw thousands of participants each year Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok.

Short easy runs need short warmups. You can start with a five-minute easy jog and some dynamic stretches Runners World.

A groundbreaking medical investigation has uncovered disturbing correlations between extreme endurance running and precancerous colon abnormalities, potentially transforming how physicians advise Thailand’s rapidly expanding marathon community. The research challenges decades of assumptions about exercise and cancer prevention, revealing that even activities traditionally considered purely beneficial may carry hidden health risks that demand immediate attention from Thai healthcare providers.

The study’s implications resonate powerfully throughout Thailand, where marathon participation has surged dramatically in recent years, with charitable running events becoming deeply embedded in temple culture and community fundraising traditions. Thai families increasingly encourage running as virtuous physical activity that aligns with Buddhist principles of caring for the body, making these unexpected findings particularly significant for a population that views distance running as inherently healthy and spiritually meaningful.

Running coaches across Thailand are discovering a game-changing principle that could dramatically reduce injuries while boosting performance throughout Bangkok’s marathons and beyond. Sports medicine experts have identified one simple rule that matches warmup intensity to workout demands, creating immediate benefits for runners who often struggle with Thailand’s challenging climate conditions.

The breakthrough challenges everything runners thought they knew about preparation routines. Rather than following generic five-minute warmup templates, elite training programs now prescribe dramatically different warmup strategies based on the specific workout ahead. This targeted approach represents a fundamental shift from one-size-fits-all preparation to sophisticated, individualized training that respects both exercise science and Thailand’s unique environmental challenges.

A new report is casting doubt on the necessity of electrolyte powders, drinks, and tablets for the average person—a market that has ballooned to an estimated $38 billion in 2024 alone. As colorful bottles and attractive marketing campaigns promise better hydration, improved health, and even performance boosts, many Thais are left wondering: do these drinks really deliver on their promises, or are they just another health fad?

Electrolyte products are marketed to athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and even ordinary people who want to enhance their daily hydration. Popular in gyms and convenience stores across Bangkok, these drinks contain key minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium—elements vital for maintaining fluid balance in the body, regulating heart rhythm, and ensuring muscle and nerve function. While sports drinks have become commonplace, public health experts say many Thais may be overestimating their benefits and underestimating the power of a regular balanced diet.

A beloved physical activity endorsed by millions for its health benefits—long-distance running—may be unexpectedly associated with a higher risk of developing precancerous colon growths among young adults, according to a new study presented at the prestigious American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2025 conference in Chicago. The study, conducted by researchers based in Washington, DC, challenges the prevailing wisdom that vigorous aerobic exercise is universally protective against all forms of cancer, raising pressing questions for health-minded Thais—especially the country’s growing cohort of marathon and ultramarathon enthusiasts.

A recent feature in Fit&Well shines a spotlight on the soleus muscle, a crucial yet often neglected muscle in the lower leg that plays a pivotal role for runners and active individuals of all levels. While most fitness routines for runners in Thailand focus on strengthening the glutes and hamstrings, a prominent running coach emphasizes that the soleus is arguably the most important muscle for performance and injury prevention—a point especially relevant for the Kingdom’s vibrant running community and the rising popularity of marathon events nationwide (Fit&Well).

A growing wave of runners around the world—and increasingly in Thailand—are embracing “Jeffing”, a run-walk method that’s gaining traction for its accessibility, injury prevention benefits, and surprising effectiveness in boosting endurance. Named after US Olympian Jeff Galloway, the method alternates between short periods of running and walking, offering a refreshed approach to running that’s changing the way both beginners and seasoned athletes tackle the sport. With new research and growing testimonials, Jeffing is steadily becoming a staple in global fitness routines, inspiring more Thais to hit the tracks, parks, and city streets with renewed enthusiasm.

A new wave of scientific insight has highlighted a dilemma familiar to every runner: when exhaustion sets in, is it your legs giving out first or your lungs and heart? The answer, experts say, could fundamentally alter the way athletes and casual joggers alike structure their training programs, and the latest research underscores the importance of accurately identifying the source of fatigue to improve running performance and overall health (Runner’s World).

A recent study, highlighted in a feature by Men’s Journal, has found that distance runners can substantially extend their time to exhaustion—by as much as 32 percent—by implementing a specific post-workout recovery technique. This discovery, though focused on runners, carries significant implications for athletes and fitness enthusiasts across Thailand, where running continues to gain popularity as both a competitive sport and a healthy lifestyle pursuit.

In Thailand, where urban marathons and charity runs have become a staple in cities such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai, optimizing performance and recovery is a common goal among athletes and recreational runners alike. The new study, referenced in Men’s Journal’s report, provides compelling evidence supporting a post-exercise recovery “hack” that may help runners outpace their previous limits and enhance overall stamina.

A leading running coach is urging Thai runners to shift their focus away from pace, cadence, and even distance, advising that heart rate monitoring should be the primary metric to track for both beginners and experienced athletes alike. According to the latest expert guidance published by Fit&Well, heart rate offers critical insights for optimizing performance, preventing overtraining, and tracking long-term fitness (Fit&Well).

The significance of this advice speaks directly to Thailand’s expanding community of health-conscious citizens. With the nation’s urban parks bustling with recreational runners and participation in local marathons and charity runs on the rise, there is increasing interest in sports science and personal fitness technologies. The push toward heart rate tracking reflects a broader global movement toward more individualized, data-driven training—a trend now also being embraced by Thai running enthusiasts.

A new case study on a 77-year-old marathon runner whose physical fitness mirrors that of women five decades younger is causing scientists and the world to rethink what is possible during the aging process. The findings, published in the Journal of Applied Physiology and attracting international attention, highlight both the extraordinary accomplishments of lifelong athlete Jeannie Rice and the broader lessons her life offers for healthy aging globally—including in Thailand, where aging populations are becoming a central health and socioeconomic concern.

An 85-year-old runner challenging his limits at the 28th London Marathon is capturing international attention and spotlighting new research that shatters one of the most persistent myths in health: that old age is an obstacle to exercise. While some see retirement as an end to physical activity, the remarkable story of this octogenarian marathoner signals a broader move in both science and society towards active aging — and offers invaluable lessons for Thailand’s fast-growing elderly population.