Marathon Glory Comes With a Price

Running Strategy Is Key

"It's very easily fixed, just by education," said Maharam. "You need to only need to drink for thirst."

Although water intoxication can cause death, the last death at the New York City Marathon was caused by a genetic abnormality.

Ryan Shay collapsed and died in 2007 during the U.S. Olympic trials competition in New York.

"We had Ryan Shay last year," said Maharam. "Before that, the last death was in 1994."

Ryan Shay collapsed and died in 2007 during the Olympic trials race, one day before the ING New York City Marathon. Doctors had previously diagnosed him with an enlarged heart, but he was cleared to compete in the race.

Maharam insisted the odds of death are pretty low, about 1 in 60,000 people during a marathon.

Yet, the city will have more than 25,000 medical volunteers with medical stations at every mile and eight triage areas to help people along the way.

"You know, 26.2 miles is not a walk around the block," said Maharam.