Medical experience of the great north run.

There are problems with the geography of the event. The course is bounded by water to the north and east and the runners approach from the west and south (Fig. 1) which means there is no easy route of evacuation either for casualties or for residents who are effectively marooned for five hours. There is thus a stronger medical presence on the course and at the finish than might be expected so as to minimise the need for evacuation of casualities to hospital.