Chaos at Sydney Marathon as 26 runners are hospitalized amid heat and smoke from bushfires
- 26 marathon runners in hospital
- Heat and smoke take their toll
- READ MORE: Cities evacuated
Dozens of runners have been hospitalized after braving the Sydney Marathon in a heatwave.
At least 26 people were taken to hospital as a record number of runners kicked off the biggest marathon in Australia’s history on Sunday, with temperatures peaking at 32 degrees Celsius during the race.
Seven are in serious condition.
“As of 4pm on Sunday, NSW Ambulance provided treatment to 40 people requiring medical attention during the Sydney Marathon,” a NSW Ambulance spokesperson said.
‘Twenty-six patients were transported to hospital by ambulance, seven of whom are in serious condition. Private medical providers also provided support during the event.”
It comes as crude video footage captured huge queues for the toilets under the Harbor Bridge ahead of the iconic Sydney Marathon.
Despite the grueling conditions, a record number of people took part in the Sydney Marathon
Due to the warm conditions during the Sydney Marathon, more than twenty runners had to be treated in hospital
A short video posted to X (formerly Twitter) captured huge queues outside the public toilets.
Despite concerns about rising heat and smoke haze, the weather remained mostly clear and did not affect athletes, event organizers said.
Morocco’s Othmane El Goumri emerged victorious in the men’s race, finishing in a time of 2:08:20.
The long-distance runner defeated Kenyan Laban Korir and Ethiopian Getaneh Molla Tamire, who finished second and third respectively.
Canberra-born runner Brett Robinson finished in ninth place, with a net time of 2:23:04.
Former Kenyan and now American runner Betsy Saina, who plans to compete in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, took the win for the women’s race with a time of 2:26:47.
Ms Saine came in just milliseconds ahead of Ethiopia’s Rahma Chota and Kenya’s Gladys Kiptegai, who finished third with a time of 2:28:41.
Australian Sinead Diver, who was reportedly struggling with injuries, finished eighth with a time of 2:31:27.
The marathon went ahead despite high temperatures being forecast in Sydney amid an upcoming heatwave.
Marathon runners were undeterred by the high temperatures forecast for Sydney
Hazard mitigation burns were suspended to ease the smoky haze in the capital days before the big event.
Marathon race director Wayne Larden said organizers have placed an additional ‘hydration station’ and three ice stations in the middle of the course to help athletes cope with the rising heat
“The safety and well-being of our participants is our highest priority,” he said in a statement.
‘We are working closely with key stakeholders including the Rural Fire Service (RFS) and the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) to ensure the highest safety standards are implemented.’
NSW Health Executive Director of Health Protection Dr Jeremy McAnulty urged people to take precautions given the recent spike in asthma attacks.
‘Simple precautions can reduce the risk of heat-related illness. It’s important not to get too hot or dehydrated by minimizing outdoor physical activity during the day and staying well hydrated by drinking water. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty before drinking water,” Dr. McAnulty said.
‘It is best to try to avoid the heat of the day by staying indoors and closing curtains and blinds early. If you don’t have air conditioning, you can use a fan and wet your skin with a sponge, spray, or water-soaked towel to keep you cool.