It was no surprise to Sydney Marathon runners that race day was going to pose heat-related challenges, thanks to an unprecedented spring heatwave. Temperature were dangerously high (pushing 90 degrees) and heavy smoke had recently lifted from the area, due to brush fires.
Forty people required medical attention, a New South Wales Ambulance spokesperson told news outlets, and at least 26 were taken to the hospital. Seven people are in serious condition. According to news.com.au, 240 people were treated by St. John Ambulance.
This year’s race saw a record-breaking 17,000 runners start the marathon—many of whom tried to use porta-potties before the race—as it contends for a seventh spot in the World Marathon Majors.
Race organizers put out an extra hydration station and three ice stations in the middle of the course, marathon race director Wayne Larden said, according to the Daily Mail.
“The safety and well-being of our participants is our highest priority,” Larden said in a statement, according to the Daily Mail.
A report from news.com.au suggests that race organizers were more focused on its bid to be a part of the World Marathon Majors than “the safety of its athletes.” In order to become a Major marathon, the Sydney Marathon has to follow strict criteria by 2025 to join the ranks of Boston, Tokyo, Berlin, London, Chicago, and New York. The Sydney Marathon is a legacy event from the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
The half marathon began at 5:45 a.m., while the full marathon didn’t start until 7:10 a.m., which meant back-of-the-pack runners would be finishing in the blistering afternoon heat.
One runner who spoke with news.com.au stopped at a medical tent at 11:30 a.m., and she told the outlet that it had reached capacity.
“I can only imagine how much worse it got after that with runners in the heat longer,” she told news.com.au.
Heather is the former food and nutrition editor for Runner’s World, the author of The Runner’s World Vegetarian Cookbook, and a nine-time marathoner with a best of 3:23. She’s also proud of her 19:40 5K and 5:33 mile. Heather is an RRCA certified run coach.
