An unfortunate and stark reminder than heat can indeed be deadly to distance athletes. During the Chicago 13.1 on Saturday (part of the 13.1 race series), 11 runners were hospitalized with one dying as race temperatures reached a humid 86 degrees. Temperatures were already hitting 75 as early as 4:30 in the morning and the race started under a yellow flag at 7:13 meaning temperatures were not ideal. The condition was downgraded to red and then black during the race, effectively ending the race at 9:15 as no more times were recorded and runners were encouraged to stop and take the shuttles back to the finish line.
Race organizers were prepared for the heat this year with 10 aid stations, 2 spray stations and a wet towel station along the 13.1 mile route, unlike the Chicago Marathon in 2007 when aid stations ran out of water and nearly 300 runners were hospitalized under similar conditions. Unfortunately, even with the precautions taken, the race time temperature were just too extreme to provide for a safe race.
Chicago Tribune Article
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