Athletes feel the heat
1 Oct 2012 10:27 PM GMT
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 28 October. 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.’
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 28 October. 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.’
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