This year’s much-anticipated London Marathon saw more than 40,000 runners at St. James Park struggling amid a temperature 24.1C (75.3F), the hottest London Marathon on record.
According to BBC, the annual marathon set a previous record of 22.7C (72.8C) in 1996 and 22.6C (72.6F) in 2007 — when one runner died after collapsing during the race and 73 were hospitalized.
Runners were warned that this year could be hotter because of the heat absorbed by the roads and from other runners. Event director Hugh Brasher said organizers had to distribute four-and-a-half litres of water per person. It was more than any other highly participated event in the world but they still ran out of it at some point.
Organizers also warned that the heat would be especially difficult for those who went with fancy dress. Almost 100 runners came in outfits such as a suit of armor, a Paddington Bear costume, and ski boots — attempting to enter the Guinness World Records.
The unusual heat resulted in some runners collapsing during the race and needing medical attention. A former Masterchef contestant, Matt Campbell, who was a keen marathon runner and previously finished the Manchester Marathon two weeks prior to the event, died after collapsing 36 kilometres into the race. The cause of his death is yet to be known according to organizers.
While many London locals struggled through the 24.1C temperature, those who are living from other parts of the world can’t seem to fathom how it could be the “hottest” for the Brits.
— Breegan (@BreeganDumb) April 23, 2018
Many compared it as “room temperature” to them and even considered a cool summer temperature.
https://twitter.com/SilFox_/status/988424329430994949
It’s the room temperature marathon challenge
— Breegan (@BreeganDumb) April 23, 2018
I’m Canadian & this is considered a cool summer day to me.
— B (@brettski94) April 25, 2018
23°C is a cold day in Brazil and I'm not even joking lmao
— anny (@Brenda_Thyciane) April 26, 2018
Well it's considered winter here in the Philippines
— Ran Encabo (@ranencabo) April 27, 2018
Others who are used to the blazing heat of the sun sends their “regards” in the most burning way possible.
https://twitter.com/austin_wilde13/status/988824751224381440
Meanwhile in Arizona pic.twitter.com/1Tgu0OputY
— 🅅🄴🅁🅃🄸🄲🄰🄻 (@TooVertical) April 25, 2018
Florida scoffs pic.twitter.com/0zfVNAVXSQ
— I don’t even use this anymore whoops (@Cotonflower2) April 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/comemiculogrngo/status/989169300446429184
https://twitter.com/VoidOfficialYT_/status/989187325593866242
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 37°C pic.twitter.com/17D3MJT31S
— ♥️ (@Ana___Rosa) April 25, 2018
Meanwhile, in Las Vegas pic.twitter.com/Luc9vlhBhY
— trashley 🍓 (@MadameAshlini) April 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/GoGlarinWeirdo/status/989304844467908608
The entire continent of Africa sends their regards pic.twitter.com/LUsrnX2E2i
— David 🇭🇹🇬🇭🇱🇧 (@david_tk421) April 26, 2018
Australia on the 7th of January this year….47.3C pic.twitter.com/4OMsNWE6Y3
— papi dolan (@DeadassGrethan) April 26, 2018
Some came in defence of the Brits, saying that they aren’t used to the weather and “it’s dangerous heat for people who don’t experience it much.”
You guys making fun of brits who aren’t used to the weather when a guy literally died of heat stroke on the run. Our bodies aren’t good with heat over here when it’s normally very VERY mild or straight up cold, it’s dangerous heat for people who don’t experience it much.
— 0zzy 🐯🧡🖤WHO DEY!! (@0zzysaurus) April 24, 2018
23c is considered hot in the UK! We don’t have the best weather here, we’re used to like less than 10c kinda weather!
— Josh🍕 (@IamJoshDrew) April 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/FrankieCarroll/status/988581061029515266
https://twitter.com/_zoopley/status/988790081212354560
While the said temperature may be normal for others who experience mostly hot weather, it is unusual for the Brits who are used to winter and barely see the sun. Their reaction to heat may be “too much” for some but it shouldn’t be a debate whether the incident should be turned into a laughing matter or not when it seriously might’ve caused the death of someone.
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