London Marathon runners sweat through record-breaking heat
Updated
London Marathon runners sweltered through the event's hottest year on record with the mercury reaching 24.1 degrees Celsius.
Extra water, ice, showers and medical stations were made available to runners through the 42.2-kilometre course; however, water did run out at some points during the race.
Sunday's weather beat the marathon's previous highest temperature of 22.7C set in 1996, which was almost overtaken in 2007 when it peaked at 22.6C.
As the forecast had already predicted to surpass the record, participants were warned to reconsider dressing up in fancy costumes.
"Anyone wearing fancy dress, look at whether it's appropriate in the conditions. If you think it's not appropriate, don't do it in fancy dress," race director Hugh Brasher said last week.
"People are urged to wear sunscreen and appropriate clothing. Listen to your body. Change your race plan."
Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge won the main event for the third time, completing the course in 2 hours, 4 minutes, 27 seconds.
Commonwealth Games runner brought down in Gold Coast heat
The risks of marathon running were painfully clear earlier this month when Scotland's Callum Hawkins collapsed during the men's marathon at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
Hawkins looked to have secured his gold medal when he opened a lead of more than two minutes over Australia's Michael Shelley.
But just two kilometres from the finish line and as the temperature rose to 28C, Hawkins succumbed to the heat.
After falling, the 25-year-old tried more than once to get back on his feet before crashing into a bridge railing and collapsing on the road.
He was treated at the scene before being taken away in an ambulance.
Team Scotland later said medical staff had "no major concerns" about his condition.
ABC/AP
Topics: marathon, sport, charities, england
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