Beijing marathon sees seven heart attacks, unhealthy pollution levels
21 Sep 2015 / 10:58 H.
A runner wears a face mask as he takes part in the 35th Beijing International Marathon in Beijing on Sept 20, 2015, with the 42km course beginning at Tiananmen Square and ending at the Olympic Park. Some participants wore face masks to protect themselves from air pollution. AFP
BEIJING: Six competitors and one official at the Beijing Marathon suffered heart attacks as the air quality showed unhealthy pollution levels, a news report said Monday.
No deaths were reported during Sunday's race, which attracted around 30,000 runners, the South China Morning Post reported.
The air quality index was measured shortly after the end of the race at 175 by the US Embassy's monitoring station, where readings between 151 and 200 are considered unhealthy, and prolonged exercise outdoors is not recommended.
The race was won by Kenyan Mariko Kipchumba, 41, in 2 hours 11 minutes. – dpa