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Runners swelter in marathon heat Runners brave marathon heatwave
(about 1 hour later)
The largest field of runners ever for the London Marathon has sweltered its way through record heat. A record numbers of runners have completed the London Marathon after sweltering in unseasonal heat.
Temperatures for the 36,500 runners hit 21C at midday, equalling the 1996 record, and were forecast to hit 23C. According to St John Ambulance there were a "high" number of runners collapsing on the finish line, but no serious conditions were reported.
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. The 36,500 runners were the usual mix of professionals, amateurs and celebrities, most of whom were raising money for charitable causes.
Seamus Kelly, of the first aid charity, said they were being treated and there was "nothing of particular concern". Temperatures hit 21C at midday, equalling the 1996 record.
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey was among a number of famous faces to run - and suffer - in the heat.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."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. It just stops you in your tracks when you see people pass out in front of you Matt Dawson class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6580861.stm">Wacky London racers class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6581351.stm">In pictures: Fun runners
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 Other competitors included model Nell McAndrew, Olympic hurdle champion Sally Gunnell, wheelchair basketball player Ade Adepitan and rugby star Matt Dawson.
"They would not let you stop, walk or stretch and I think I have overdosed on jelly babies," he added. Michelle Dewberry, winner of the BBC television show The Apprentice last year, said she saw someone who had collapsed being resuscitated after about four miles.
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. She said: "I have seen lots of people passed out and being resuscitated. It is scary, scary stuff."
Matt Dawson, a members of England's rugby World Cup team, said the conditions were "brutal".
"I have seen it has really had an effect on some people. It just stops you in your tracks when you see people pass out in front of you," he said.
Kenya's Martin Lel won the men's race in an upset for favourites Haile Gebrselassie and reigning world marathon record holder Paul Tergat.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.
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
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.
Extra doctors were also been drafted in, organiser Dave Bedford said.
Runners were advised to drink water frequentlyRunners 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. The UK's number one, Jon Brown, withdrew because of sickness.
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. Favourite Chunxiu Zhou from China won the women's race, while Briton Dave Weir retained his wheelchair title.
Firefighter Garry Speakman, from Manchester, is hoping to break the record for the fastest marathon in full fire uniform. Earlier, London Marathon chief executive Nick Bitel said that more than 1,300 first aid volunteers from St John Ambulance and over 100 doctors were out on the course, including some of the world's leading medical experts.
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 the high temperatures.
Firefighter Garry Speakman, from Manchester, hopes 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 were 36,500 people running in the London Marathon. Were you watching? Send us your photos of the Marathon.
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