The Institute of Sport Exercise and Health (ISEH) was sad to learn that Dr Dan Tunstall Pedoe, Medical Director Emeritus of the London Marathon, has passed away in hospital after a lengthy illness.
Dr Courtney Kipps, assistant Medical Director of the London Marathon and a sports physician at the ISEH was an ex-student of Dr Tunstall Pedoe and subsequently a research collaborator. Prof Hugh Montgomery based at the ISEH was a consultant colleague.
Dr Kipps and Prof Montgomery said:
"Dr Tunstall Pedoe was a pioneer in sports medicine in the UK, and of marathon medicine in particular. He was the London Marathon's first medical director and held the post for 25 years.
Dr Tunstall Pedoe was the only doctor, accompanied by two physiotherapists, one podiatrist and a handful of St John Ambulance volunteers supporting the 7,500 runners in the first race in 1981.
In legendary Tunstall Pedoe fashion, in the early years of the event he would join the medical tent after he had himself completed the marathon (in a time that would make most of us mere plodders truly envious).
By the time he stepped down in 2006, the race had burgeoned to 35,000 runners and the medical team consisted of over 100 doctors, several hundred physios and podiatrists, and 1,500 first-aiders.
He recognised that the marathon is a healthy event for most but remained a challenge for some. To this end, he set up an annual conference on the science and medicine of marathon running to ensure that the most up-to-date knowledge and best practice were being shared. The Marathon Medicine conference, now in its 32nd year, is the longest running event of its kind internationally.
More than that however, his record of successful cardiac resuscitations famously made the London Marathon one of the safest places in Britain to have a heart condition.
In latter years, Dr Tunstall Pedoe struggled with ill health - which he bore with characteristic stoicism and lack of complaint. He continued to inspire and enthuse those around him, whether in discussion of matters scientific, or through his expertise in photography.
He will be missed by many but his legacy of improving the safety of all marathon competitors will stand."