LA Marathon Officials Taking Steps To Help Runners Beat The Heat
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Record warmth and distance running do not mix well, so organizers of Sunday's LA Marathon are doing what they can to try to keep the runners from suffering heat stroke and other related illnesses.
That means an earlier start as well as starting the event in waves so the early aid stations aren't bombarded with runners, and volunteers will have time to replenish the much-needed beverages.
Madison Ingram, 20, who is running her first marathon, told KCAL9's Amy Johnson that she has a plan.
"I'm going to try to get a really good time in the morning and then kind of slow it down when it gets hot," Ingram said.
When she and 26,000 others tackle the marathon Sunday morning it could be the hottest in a decade. Back in 2004 temperatures hit 87 degrees.
"We moved the start time 30 minutes earlier due to the challenges posed by the expected high heat," said Tracy Russell, chief executive of the 30th LA Marathon.
"We've had 24 water stations in the past," Russell told Johnson. "This year each of those water stations will have water and Gatorade Endurance Formula. They begin at Mile 2 and they go through Mile 25."
The race from Dodger Stadium to the sea takes runners through LA, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica.
"Between the four cities we're going to have 14 additional engine companies along the route," said Los Angeles Fire Department Battalion Chief Carlos Calvillo. "There will be 32 additional rescue ambulances along the route. We'll have bicycle teams, we're going to have motorcycle teams, and medical carts known as 'gators.'"
The 26.2-mile route will also include misting stations and cooling buses at the 12 medical stations. but doctors say runners need to pay close attention to their bodies in the heat and their fellow runners.