Eight runners hospitalised after collapsing during South Korea marathon

A punishing heatwave turned a scenic marathon near the Korean DMZ into a medical emergency, with eight runners hospitalized. | Contesto: cronaca

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• Eight runners hospitalised after collapsing during South Korea marathon

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Eight runners were hospitalized and at least four others received on-site treatment after collapsing from heat-related illnesses during a marathon held near South Korea's Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on Sunday. The event, which drew participants to the historically significant but challenging terrain, was abruptly overshadowed by a sudden and severe heatwave that swept across the region, with temperatures soaring unexpectedly during the race. The marathon's course, set in the rugged landscape bordering the heavily fortified DMZ, is known for its symbolic value and physical demands. Organizers had anticipated warm conditions, but the rapid climb in temperature and humidity exceeded forecasts, creating dangerous conditions for endurance athletics. Medical teams stationed along the route reported a surge in distress calls shortly after the race began, with runners succumbing to heat exhaustion and suspected heatstroke at multiple points along the course. Emergency responders performed immediate first aid, including rapid cooling with ice packs and intravenous fluids, before transporting the most severe cases to nearby hospitals. Local health officials confirmed that all hospitalized individuals are in stable condition, but several are being monitored for potential complications from organ stress caused by extreme overheating. The incident has triggered a major review of the event's safety protocols, particularly its heat contingency plans and thresholds for potentially halting the competition. This mass casualty event at a sporting fixture is part of a disturbing pattern observed globally, as increasingly volatile and extreme weather linked to climate change collides with outdoor mass participation events. Race directors and sports federations worldwide are now grappling with how to adapt long-standing events to a new normal of unpredictable and dangerous weather windows. The South Korean case is especially poignant, highlighting how even prepared events in developed nations can be quickly overwhelmed by sudden environmental shifts. The hospitalizations near the DMZ raise urgent questions about the future of spring and autumn sporting calendars in regions experiencing...

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Categoria: cronaca