Almost 60 people were treated, and 16 hospitalised, for heat exhaustion and other afflictions during the Edinburgh Marathon on Sunday, due to temperatures which topped 23°C.
Thousands braved the sweltering Edinburgh sun in pursuit of a place among the exalted group of runners to have completed a full marathon, but more than a dozen ended up in hospital because of the exertion.
The Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) said that 16 people in total were transported to hospital on Sunday, with dozens more – including members of the public – receiving medical assistance.
Temperatures were so extreme that well-placed members of the public in Portobello decided to spray water on runners braving the heat using sprinklers and improvised garden hoses.
The SAS said that people were treated for “a range of conditions”, including heat exhaustion, along the route, which ran from Potterrow, through Aberlady, and concluded in Musselburgh.
SAS personnel were able to “proactively” identify people suffering and offer assistance.
In a statement, they said: “Due to the higher temperatures experienced over the weekend, we responded to and treated an increased number of runners presenting with a range of conditions, including heat exhaustion throughout the route.
“We attended to 59 patients with 14 patients transported to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and 2 patients transported to Western General Hospital.
“We had staff based at the marathon and placed along the route as part of the event plan who worked proactively to identify and manage anyone needing medical assistance.”
One marathon finisher said: “There were hundreds of people KO’d along the route.”
On the paramedics and first responders, he added: “The paramedics were run ragged, but they were excellent.
“All along the route they were already at the people who needed them.
“10/10, god-bless our first responders.”
Bicycles were even used for better manoeuvrability, with a range of road closures restricting ambulance access.
Tens of thousands of people turned out to line the streets next to key parts of the marathon route to cheer people on and hand out goodies like oranges, sweets, water, and energy drinks.
On Facebook, the Edinburgh Marathon Festival thanked all the runners who participated in the event, as well as their staff members who oversaw proceedings.
The Marathon found itself caught in a national heatwave, with temperatures in the capital reaching 24°C the day following – Monday. Temperatures of 33.5°C have been recorded in other parts of the UK – the highest May temperature on record.
The Edinburgh Marathon Festival has been approached for comment.
