The American Road Race Medical Society (ARRMS) is doing well and forging forward. We have had a great 2010 thus far, following and continuing the progress made by our past-president and key member Dr. John Cianca. We thank him for his leadership and know this organization is stronger because of his commitment.

This past year has been a positive one for many of our races. It saw the first ever combined Medical Malpractice policy which encompassed the Chicago, Boston, New York, Houston, and Twin Cities Marathons. We thank USATF for spearheading this effort and look forward to expanding this opportunity with other races in the future.

Our annual meeting was held in conjunction with the AMAA’s 39th Annual Sports Medicine Symposium in Boston and among the attendees was New York City Marathon Medical Director Stuart Weiss, MD (see photo below).  We’re glad to have him on board and wish him well as he enters his second year as medical director of one of the largest marathons in the world.

At our meeting, we discussed goals for this upcoming year including sponsorship opportunities to be shared among our medical programs. Additionally, we created a framework for a “Distance Learning Program” which will provide expert lectures for other races and their medical directors. We hope to have this program complete by the 2011 running season and available to our members online.

From left: AMAA Executive Director Dave Watt and marathon medical directors Stuart Weiss, MD (NYC); George Chiampas, DO (Chicago); Chris Troyanos, ATC (Boston); CAPT Bruce Adams, MD (Marine Corps); John Cianca, MD (Houston); and Pierre d'Hemecourt, MD (Boston).

We also met in Baltimore in June at the ACSM conference where ARRMS members led some exciting endurance and marathon “best practice” lectures. These were very well received, validating our organization’s commitment and expertise in this field. Our next meeting will be held in conjunction with Bank of America Chicago Marathon in October 2010.

We look forward to continued success and collaboration with the various running organizations and races to provide the most and best medical care for all runners. If you are not yet an ARRMS member, please consider joining today at www.arrms.org (there is a combined ARRMS-AMAA membership available).

George Chiampas, DO, CAQSM
Assistant Professor Feinberg School of Medicine
Department of Emergency Medicine Northwestern University
Medical Director Bank of America Chicago Marathon
President ARRMS