I need help getting a medical certificate to allow me compete in the Marathon De Sables
August 9, 2007 2:21 AM   Subscribe

I need help getting a medical certificate to allow me compete in the Marathon De Sables

Under french law all participants of sporting events need to obtain a 'medical certificate' which consists of a signed letter from a doctor stating you are 100% healthy and no possible harm can come to you in the following activity (in this case a 270 km Marathon across a desert)

Ive never met anyone who is 100% healthy and living in the UK i think im unlikely to find a doctor willing to sign such a document, that would leave them open to litigation.

I am also have a very complex medical history

I have an Arnold Chiari Malformation (a mutation of the brain)
Sryingomeylia (a tumour/syrnix of the spine)

I have undergone half a dozen major brain and spinal surgeries, as well as suffering both a Cerebral Aneurysm and Hydrocephalus all the last 5 years.

I also have a neurological device implanted in my brain to control cerebral fluid pressures.

The Syrnix in my spine has also removed my ability to feel pain in large parts of my body.


I need to hear from anyone who understands intricacies of french law and has actualy achieved in getting one of these documents signed by a non-french doctor.

"a medical certificate must be issued stipulating the absence of any contraindications for participation in the sports competition"

Law n° 99-223 on protecting the health of sportsmen and on preventing the consumption of illicit drugs was passed by the French National Assembly on March 23, 1999.
Under the provisions of this new law, all French or non-French runners are required to produce proof of their fitness to participate in running competitions. Such proof must be in the form of a medical certificate issued by a doctor following a medical examination.
posted by complience to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (3 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
Best answer: The medical certificate you need signed doesn't actually say '100% healthy', it says 'does not indicate any medical objection to marathon (about 200 Kms) or endurance trek in an extremely arid climate with temperatures of up to 45*C.' (here). I would think if you could do some lead up event, and show a doctor that you managed x ok, then they would sign that.
posted by jacalata at 3:31 AM on August 9, 2007


Having functional fluid balance and a vigorous sensitivity to pain seem like good ideas when running a desert marathon. I've done six marathons, all in autumny and temperate climes, and they ruck with your fluid balance no matter what and it's always good to know when you are hurting. Docs would have a good reason to balk at certifying you for such an endeavor, not for litigation reasons so much it might not be terribly safe for you to do it. This is not necessarily a reason not to do it, but it is something you should know about.

But I'm just going to assume that you know better than the medical professionals (and you might actually for a lot of them, with such a rare condition), and suggest that you just walk into a doc's office, not mention the neuro business, wave the certificate, and get it signed.

Alternately, go see a doc you trust and respect and find out what's feasible.
posted by bluenausea at 4:57 AM on August 9, 2007


This is a question that could probably be well answered on the Ultralist.

Just off the top of my head I can think of several other members who have run Sables, although they are mostly American. I'm sure that there are UK participants on the list who've done it. You also might be able to get advice about training etc if you need it.
posted by OmieWise at 5:59 AM on August 9, 2007


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