The medical tent is the on-site first aid station at a race, staffed by doctors, physiotherapists, or paramedics. It's usually set up near the finish line, with smaller aid posts along the course for urgent cases. Any runner can walk in, and marshals will bring in anyone who looks unwell.
Common issues include blisters, muscle cramps, dehydration, and heat exhaustion. Staff are also trained to handle more serious emergencies like collapse or suspected cardiac issues.
The main one sits right at the finish line, since that's where most runners need help. Larger races also place smaller medical posts every few kilometres along the course.
Yes, on-course medical care is part of the race's safety setup and included with your entry. You won't be billed for basic first aid or emergency stabilization on site.
Go immediately if you feel dizzy, confused, stop sweating in the heat, or have chest pain. These can be signs of heat stroke or a cardiac event, and pushing through is genuinely dangerous.
Yes, marshals are trained to spot signs of distress you might not notice in yourself, like a staggering gait or pale skin. It's worth listening to them, since they see this far more often than you do.