Three runners were in critical condition in hospital yesterday after warm and humid conditions took a heavy toll on competitors in the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon events.
There was a record number of admissions to hospitals for runners suffering injuries and illness in what seasoned runners described as one of the toughest races weather-wise in recent years. The new route, taking in an uphill climb for Stonecutter's Bridge, also made life more difficult for competitors.
The Hospital Authority said 55 runners - 43 men and 12 women - were admitted to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital and Ruttonjee Hospital, many having suffered stroke or ankle injuries. The admissions were the highest since 2007 when there were 35 competitors taken to hospital. Last year there were just 27 admissions.
By late yesterday afternoon, 32 runners remained at Ruttonjee Hospital, including three men, aged between 38 and 46, in critical condition in the intensive care unit.
Among them was a 38-year-old Filipino man who had travelled with his wife and three children to Hong Kong to join the annual full-marathon event. He fainted after the finish line but regained consciousness later.
During the 10km events, a middle-aged man who had difficulty breathing collapsed on the Eastern Corridor. Another full-marathon runner collapsed and had to be taken away by medical officers shortly before he finished the run.
