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| Runners swelter in marathon heat | Runners swelter in marathon heat |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The largest field of runners ever for the London Marathon has sweltered its way through record heat. | |
| Temperatures for the 36,500 runners hit 21C at midday, equalling the 1996 record, and were forecast to hit 23C. | |
| Runners were advised to adjust their goals in the heat, but St John Ambulance reported a "high" number of runners collapsing on the finish line. | Runners were advised to adjust their goals in the heat, but St John Ambulance reported a "high" number of runners collapsing on the finish line. |
| Seamus Kelly, of the first aid charity, said they were being treated and there was "nothing of particular concern". | Seamus Kelly, of the first aid charity, said they were being treated and there was "nothing of particular concern". |
| Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey was among a number of famous faces to run - and suffer - in the heat. | |
| "It was like running in a desert today. I stopped to help one guy. It was quite bad. They were dropping like flies," he said. | |
| Although disappointed with his time of 4hrs 20mins, Mr Ramsey said one advantage of the weather was that thousands of people were out in support. | |
| Some of the world's leading medical experts are here to help Nick BitelLondon Marathon class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6580861.stm">Wacky London racers class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6581351.stm">In pictures: Fun runners | |
| "They would not let you stop, walk or stretch and I think I have overdosed on jelly babies," he added. | |
| Other competitors included model Nell McAndrew, rugby star Matt Dawson, former Boyzone singer Ronan Keating, Olympic hurdle champion Sally Gunnell and wheelchair basketball player Ade Adepitan. | |
| Kenya's Martin Lel won the men's race in an upset for favourites Haile Gebrselassie and reigning world marathon record holder Paul Tergat. | |
| The UK's number one Jon Brown withdrew because of sickness. | The UK's number one Jon Brown withdrew because of sickness. |
| Favourite Chunxiu Zhou from China won the women's race while Briton Dave Weir retained his wheelchair title. | |
| MEDICAL ADVICE FOR RUNNERS Drink up to half a pint of water half an hour before the startOnly take water if you need a drinkUse the run-through showersTake frequent mouthfuls of waterSource: Runners' medical resource website | MEDICAL ADVICE FOR RUNNERS Drink up to half a pint of water half an hour before the startOnly take water if you need a drinkUse the run-through showersTake frequent mouthfuls of waterSource: Runners' medical resource website |
| Earlier, London Marathon chief executive Nick Bitel said: "We're putting out over 1,300 first aid volunteers from St John Ambulance, over 100 doctors on the course, some of the world's leading medical experts are here to help, including from places as far afield as South Africa and America." | Earlier, London Marathon chief executive Nick Bitel said: "We're putting out over 1,300 first aid volunteers from St John Ambulance, over 100 doctors on the course, some of the world's leading medical experts are here to help, including from places as far afield as South Africa and America." |
| Organisers installed four run-through showers along the route and added an extra 2,600 bottles of water to the normal stock of 25,000 bottles at each station to help runners deal with high temperatures. | Organisers installed four run-through showers along the route and added an extra 2,600 bottles of water to the normal stock of 25,000 bottles at each station to help runners deal with high temperatures. |
| Extra doctors were also been drafted in, organiser Dave Bedford said. | Extra doctors were also been drafted in, organiser Dave Bedford said. |
| Runners were advised to drink water frequently | Runners were advised to drink water frequently |
| Dr Sanjay Sharman, the marathon's medical director, advised runners to take frequent mouthfuls of water and to use the run-through showers to stay cool. | Dr Sanjay Sharman, the marathon's medical director, advised runners to take frequent mouthfuls of water and to use the run-through showers to stay cool. |
| BBC weather forecaster Alex Deakin said temperatures were expected to peak later in the afternoon at 23C, meaning some of the slowest runners may be worst affected. | BBC weather forecaster Alex Deakin said temperatures were expected to peak later in the afternoon at 23C, meaning some of the slowest runners may be worst affected. |
| Firefighter Garry Speakman, from Manchester, is hoping to break the record for the fastest marathon in full fire uniform. | Firefighter Garry Speakman, from Manchester, is hoping to break the record for the fastest marathon in full fire uniform. |
| And Londoner Angus MacFadyen aims to take the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon on crutches. | And Londoner Angus MacFadyen aims to take the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon on crutches. |
| There are 36,500 people running in the London Marathon. Will you be watching? Send us your photos of the Marathon. | There are 36,500 people running in the London Marathon. Will you be watching? Send us your photos of the Marathon. |
| You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100. | You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100. |
| Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
| Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |