...evolved since 1969 pretty amazing. If you just started running marathons in the past 10 years, you are accustomed to seeing medical personnel along a marathon course and a full-fledged medical tent at the finish line. Gels, sports drinks, energy bars, space blankets, and mist tents have become common sights at marathons and triathlons. But go back to the 80s and you would have most likely seen medical personnel at the start and finish and not much in between.

Go back even further, to the 70s, and you'd witness the first running boom. Computer timing and barcodes were the rage. Runners were excited to have "technical wear" and cushioned running shoes from new innovative companies like Nike.

When AMAA began in 1969 as the American Medical Joggers Association, there was no such colloquial term as "running medicine." Medical aid stations and finish line medical triage tents did not exist. Water stops were random and manned by local residents using their own cups, tables, and volunteers. When AMJA was formed by Ron Lawrence we saw individuals like Sam Paris, Noel Nequin, Charlie Clark, and our "Energizer Bunny" Judi Babb usher in a new era in running. The gathering of young energetic "running docs" was not only fun but also fostered significant professional exchange. The AMAA Sports Medicine Symposium at the Boston Marathon has now grown into a nationally-recognized and sponsored meeting.

Each year, AMAA members have gathered to listen, question, and debate the latest advances in medicine as they relate to running and endurance sports. And here we are again for the 36th time--and we'll be here every year in the future. I'd like to think that AMAA has had a hand in making...

NOTE: All illustrations and photos have been removed from this article.



More articles from AMAA Journal
Talking about training: choosing a coach.(Column), March 22, 2007
American Miler: The Life and Times of Glenn Cunningham.(Book review), March 22, 2007
S. Mark Courtney: an experiment of one.(MEMBER PROFILE), March 22, 2007
We'll miss you Sam and Elihu.(MEMBER NEWS0)(Sam Paris, Elihu York), March 22, 2007
Mark your calendar.(MEMBER NEWS)(Brief article), March 22, 2007

Looking for additional articles?
Search our database of over 3 million articles.

Looking for more in-depth information on this industry?
Search our complete database of Industry & Market reports by text, subject, publication name or publication date.

About Goliath
Whether you're looking for sales prospects, competitive information, company analysis or best practices in managing your organization, Goliath can help you meet your business needs.

Our extensive business information databases empower business professionals with both the breadth and depth of credible, authoritative information they need to support their business goals. Whether it be strategic planning, sales prospecting, company research or defining management best practices - Goliath is your leading source for accurate information.