Best Practice in Race Medicine

The Matthew Good Foundation was created in memory of Matthew Good who sadly passed away while running for charity. One of the aims of the Foundation is to promote safety and best practice in race medicine and treatment of illnesses commonly found during marathons and other similar events. These types of illnesses most commonly include, hypothermia (overheating), hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), hyponatremia (low blood salt) and sudden cardiac arrest.

In 2013, in partnership with the American Road Racing Medical Society (ARRMS), the Foundation helped create the International Institute of Race Medicine (IIRM).

2011 - Present

The Matthew Good Foundation was formed following the passing of Matthew Good in June 2011, whilst running a half marathon for charity.

Matt was a fit and healthy young man. He did not smoke and took part in many other strenuous sports such as rock climbing, mountain biking and ski touring. In the months leading up to the Humber Half Marathon, Matt trained hard and even took part in a 10k achieving a fast time of 45 minutes.

It was a huge shock to learn that his death was not related to an unknown underlying condition. It was immediately apparent this was not uncommon, and many amateur runners and athletes die each year in the UK and around the world whilst taking part in Marathons, Triathlons and other endurance events.

These types of illnesses most commonly include, hypothermia (overheating), hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), hyponatremia (low blood salt) and sudden cardiac arrest. So we began our first project, which was to promote safety and best practice in race medicine and treatment of illnesses commonly found during marathons and other similar events and hopefully, as a result, reduce the number of deaths in perfectly healthy adults, through both research and education. In 2013 in partnership with the American Road Racing Medical Society (ARRMS), the Foundation helped create the International Institute of Race Medicine (IIRM).

The timeline below highlights the establishment and growth of the International Institute for Race Medicine, along with various achievements, collaborations, and research initiatives aimed at improving medical care and athlete safety in marathons and other endurance races.

Matt enjoying a weekend out hiking.

Latest Project Updates

2019

The IIRM achieves milestones, including the trial of a medical symposium series at the Boston Marathon, establishment of a quarterly journal on Endurance Medicine, speaking engagements at World Congresses, and partnership with the IAAF.

Training with the French Red Cross has also taken place to develop race medicine protocols with hopes of transferring the knowledge to the UK Red Cross.

Further funding has been provided to IIRM to support its continuing operations.

2017

The IIRM grows with the help of a further Matthew Good Foundation grant, allowing more races to benefit from the organisation's guidance.

£3,500
2015

IIRM Medical Care Manual Launches

The IIRM Medical Care Manual is a single complete guide to medical care at road races, park runs and marathons. It aims to provide a guidebook for organisers of races of all sizes.

£3,500
April 2014

Tim Good provides an update on the project at the London Marathon Medical Conference.

£3,500
2014

Learning Videos Released

Distance learning videos on race organization and medical volunteering are launched.

£3,500
November 2013

Visits to the Korey Stringer Institute and New York Marathon help form alliances and observe best practices.

£3,500
September 2013

Research project begins

A year-long research project on race medicine begins at Loughborough University.

£3,500
April 2013

Tim Good and other members visit the London Marathon to discuss research and collaboration opportunities.

£3,500
January 2013

IIRM Launches

The International Institute for Race Medicine (IIRM) is launched to improve the standard of medical care at marathons.

£3,500
November 2012

Chris Price completes 32 half marathons

After running just behind Matt in the 2011 Humber Half Marathon, Chris Price, pledged to run 32 Half Marathons in 2012 (one for every year of Matt's life) to raise money for the Foundation and our project to support medical research and awareness in runners.

October 2012

Tim Good visited Chicago Marathon to review their race medicine practices. The event is known for its advancements in medical protocols, and the Medical Director, George Chiampas, was involved in establishing an organisation to promote best practices in race medicine.

2011

The Foundation's First Project

Following Matt’s death, the family decided to kick off the Foundation with this first grassroots project.