Medical

Peel Regional Paramedic Services work closely with the medical team in the unlikely event of a serious emergency. Portable defibrillators are used throughout the course and at the finish line.

Dr. Woollam also associates with a team of therapists who add their expertise to management of runners providing therapy and massage under the supervision of Russell Gunner, C.A.T.

An athlete all his life, Dr Woollam’s particular interests are lower extremity injuries, biomechanical management of the foot ,and orthotic prescription and fitting.

His other work in summer months includes Medical Director of both the Oakville Half Marathon (www.oakvillehalfmarathon.com) and the Toronto Marathon (www.torontomarathon.com)

In the winter months he is team physician to the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors (www.stmichaelsmajors.com) and consultant to the Oakville Blades Junior A (www.oakvilleblades.com) hockey.

His contact information can be found at www.sportMD.ca. He works in private practice out of his 3 offices in Toronto and Mississauga as follows:

The Sports Clinic at the University of Toronto, Mississauga
3359 Mississauga Rd N
Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6
905-820-9292
www.sportsclinic.ca

Erin Mills Sports Medicine/Rehabilitation
2227 S Millway #305
Mississauga, ON L5L 3R6
905-820-7246
www.sportsclinic.ca

Athlete’s Care
11 King St W. #C-120
Toronto, ON M5H 4C7
416-368-9990
www.athletescare.com

You may see Dr Woollam at any of these offices with or without a referral from your family doctor.

Welcome to the Mississauga Marathon

As medical director my interests are threefold:

1) To see you achieve your running or walking goals
2) To do it injury free
3) HAVE FUN!!

Please do not forget your limitations. Run according to your training and do not push yourself unreasonably.
It’s a long time getting here and not worth an injury that can put you out of commission for the summer.

Overuse running injuries are not uncommon and most are preventable.

SHOES: Be certain your shoes are neither brand new nor too old. They should have less than 600 kilometres (300 to 400 miles) on them. Check for abnormal wear patterns well before race day

CLOTHING: Dress for the weather! May weather in Mississauga is variable. It is often cooler and windier by the lake than inland. The finish line is near the shore of the lake. At the finish line be certain to change out of wet clothing and get into something warm and dry.
You will generally warm up as you run so keep this in mind, particularly at the start.

FOOD AND DRINK: Gatorade and water are the fluid replacement drinks at the Marathon this year. Water is adequate for shorter distance runners (less than 1 hour). For longer races carb drinks, such as Gatorade, are better absorbed and provide some glucose to fuel the body as well as a small amount of electrolyte replacement.
I recommend 250 ml. (8 ounces) of water approximately 20 to 30 minutes before you start the race. Drink thereafter according to thirst. DO NOT OVERDRINK!! It will feel uncomfortable while running and may lead to hyponatremia- a serious medical condition. There are no electrolyte drinks that guarantee this cannot happen.
Carb loading the day prior as well as a snack 2 hours before the race are suggested. Gels along the course are wise for longer distances and times.
Remember your training habit and try not to change from what your body is used to.

AWARENESS: Vigilance pays off while running. Be aware of traffic, curbs, potholes irregular paved surfaces and barriers. Surprisingly, every year we often see injuries related to these issues.

When you cross the finish line please drink and eat immediately. This will help rapidly restore your carb deficits so you will return to normal quickly.

If you are not feeling well, please head to the medical tent (immediately at the finish line). We have a medical team experienced in all levels of care- including physicians, nurses and chiropodists- at your service.

If you have muscle/joint aches or pains, our therapy team will be happy to help you through the pain. We have a full complement of athletic therapists, physiotherapists, massage therapists and chiropractors at your service.

Look out for our large tents at the finish line. They are well marked.

I wish you all a safe, enjoyable and successful race.

Christopher Woollam MD
Diploma Sport Medicine
Medical Director the Mississauga Marathon


Dr Woollam can be reached at Erin Mills Sports Medicine- 905-820-7246, at the sports Clinic at the University of Toronto, Mississauga Campus- 905-820-9292, and at Athlete’s Care downtown Toronto – 416-368-9990 and on the web at www.sportMD.ca 

Head Therapist

The Head Therapist for the Mississauga Marathon is Russell Gunner, C.A.T. (C). He is an Athletic Therapist certified with the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association. His job is to assist Dr. Woollam in providing a safe environment for the runners and to provide treatment for any injuries. The therapeutic medical team that he organizes consists of fellow athletic therapists, physiotherapists and massage therapists from across the GTA.

As an experienced triathlete himself, Russell has been treating running injuries for over 15 years. Along with the other therapists in his clinic, Club Physio Plus has become one of the leading sports medicine facilities in Mississauga.

Russell has particular interest in treating all running injuries, such as Iliotibial band, plantar fasciitis and most other lower extremity issues. Along with the Mississauga Marathon, he has also had the opportunity to work with the Toronto Maple Leafs as an assistant therapist.

At Club Physio Plus, they have a vast knowledge and experience to help assess and treat any running injury that may come along. With their teamwork of physiotherapists, athletic therapists, chiropractors, chinese doctors and osteopaths, they have become the leading clinic in their field.

To contact him:
Club Physio Plus
884 Southdown Rd.
Tel: 905-822-1823
Website: www.clubphysioplus.com
E-mail: gunner@clubphysioplus.com

	St. John's Ambulance provides generous support to the Mississauga Marathon presented by Canon through voluntary personnel and equipment along the race route.