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Do marathon runners suffer from coughs and colds more than most people? Does running give you a runny nose? In this week’s programme Adam Walton investigates the theory that – contrary to what you might expect – endurance athletes are more susceptible to catching colds and feeling ill.

Bangor University’s School of Sport, Health and Exercise Science has launched a major study to get to the bottom of this phenomenon. Professor Neil Walsh tells Adam more about the study which has recruited over 400 runners from the recent Snowdonia Marathon to determine what physical and mental factors contribute to athletes’ tendency to catch cold. 

Adam also asks Jayne Lloyd, former mountain runner and coordinator of the Snowdonia Marathon, for her perspective on the link between ultra-fitness and illness. And he meets Ph.D student Sophie Harrison who’s collecting saliva samples from athletes and asking them to complete questionnaires as part of the study. 

Finally, Adam gets a lesson from Neil about the correct method for washing your hands and avoid infection. It’s a five-stage process:  wet… lather… scrub… rinse… and dry!