Record Heat scorches Chicago annual Marathon

For the first time in its 30-years of history, the 30th LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon was put off as hundreds of runners were hit by the heatwave. It was the hottest in the marathon’s history, hitting 31degree. Of the 24,931 that participated, 4,000 finished before it was shut down. With temperature climbing aid stations ran out of water as competitors fainted, got cramps or vomited from heat exhaustion. One runner, Chad Schieber of Michigan died and more than 350 others were hospitalized and treated for conditions related to the heat. Runners who crossed the halfway point when the decision to stop due to slow finishing times were allowed to finish. Helicopters hovered over the course while police officers warned runners to slow down and walk. Despite the closure, thousands of runners ignored official warnings and ploughed on through the race. Finally it was Kenya’s Patrick Ivuti who leaned at the finish line to win the mens race, while Ethiopia’s Berhane Adere rallied successfully to defend her women’s title. However, the previous marathon record of 29 degree was recorded in 1979.