Delhi Half Marathon athletes complain of hot conditions

GUANGZHOU, CHINA – NOVEMBER 21: Yuan Jin of China hurdles alongside Sudha Singh of India in the women’s steeplechase event at the 16th Asian Games in Beijing in this file photo.

New Delhi, Sep 30 – Delhi Half Marathon athletes complained about the hot and humid conditions during Sunday’s race, which was traditionally held during the cooler conditions in late October or early November.

But this time the race, which has the IAAF Gold Label status, was shifted to late September so that it doesn’t clash with the Formula One Indian Grand Prix that is slated for Oct 28.

Despite the fact that the half marathon had an earlier start, 6:30 a.m., than in previous years, the athletes were not happy about the weather conditions.

Elite men’s winner Edwin Kipyego of Kenya said he wanted to break the course record but the weather did not allow him to.

“I was keeping the pace with the record till the 14-15 km mark after which I suffered because of hot and humid conditions. I had a good start but the weather got worse and it kept getting hotter,” said Kipyego, who finished the race with a timing of 1:00.55 hours.

Second placed Leonard Langat, also from Kenya, said: “Till the 15-km mark, I tried to keep pace with Kipyego but then due to the weather I could not push myself. It got hot and humid and I stayed behind the winner.”

Third placed Silas Kipruto also concurred. “After 12 km my body was not responding well because of the weather and that is why I fell behind.”

Elite women’s winner Yemir Wude of Ethiopia echoed the same sentiment.

“It was a good race overall but the conditions were not good to race in as it became hot after the start of the race,” said Wude in the post-race press conference. She clocked 1:11.10.

Olympian Sudha Singh, who was the best among the Indian women, said: “It was hot and I do not have much experience in running in such hot conditions.”