delhi half marathon goes ahead despite smog
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

'My eyes are burning'

Delhi half marathon goes ahead despite smog

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicleDelhi half marathon goes ahead despite smog

A man wears a face mask as he competes in the Delhi half-marathon
New Delhi - Muslimchronicle

 Tens of thousands of runners braved smoggy conditions for the Delhi half marathon on Sunday despite dire health warnings from doctors who wanted the race postponed in the heavily-polluted capital.

Around 35,000 people registered for the race in the Indian city after more than a week of hazardous pollution levels that forced schools shut for several days.

The US embassy website Sunday showed levels of the smallest and most harmful airborne pollutants reached 189 -- nearly eight times the World Health Organization's safe maximum.

Some runners wore face masks as they jogged through the visible morning haze and complained of side effects from the polluted conditions.

"My eyes are burning, my throat is dry. I have a running nose," said Rohit Mohan, a 30-year-old runner from the southern city of Bangalore who was among those donning a mask.

"It's been terrible since I landed here yesterday."

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) had asked the Delhi High Court to postpone the event after a spike in pollution levels that it described as a public health emergency.

However, on Thursday the court said it was satisfied by the organisers' reassurances that they were doing everything they could to mitigate concerns, and the race was given the green light.

The medical association says running in severe pollution can trigger asthma attacks, worsen lung conditions and increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Most participants -- the large majority of whom were local, amateur runners -- seemed unfazed and ran without masks, ignoring the warnings.

"I know pollution is bad and it can affect my health but I am still participating," said Sitam, who like many Indians goes by one name.

"I want to send a message to the government to do something for fitness enthusiasts and ensure a pollution free environment for them."

Last week telecoms giant Airtel threatened to pull its sponsorship of the event if authorities in Delhi failed to act to improve the city's air quality.

Organisers sprayed the course with water to keep dust levels down.

A 2014 World Health Organization survey found Delhi was the world's most polluted capital, with air quality even worse than Beijing.

source: AFP

themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

delhi half marathon goes ahead despite smog delhi half marathon goes ahead despite smog

 



Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

GMT 18:58 2016 Friday ,08 April

Cypriot parliament speaker to visit Egypt Sunday

GMT 11:43 2017 Thursday ,21 September

More than 100 migrants missing after shipwreck off Libya

GMT 12:03 2017 Thursday ,19 January

Dollar climbs on Yellen speech, Asia traders eye Trump

GMT 12:50 2017 Friday ,15 September

Fati Jamali received offer to participate

GMT 08:56 2017 Wednesday ,15 November

Nadal pullout leaves Federer as last man standing

GMT 08:10 2016 Wednesday ,28 December

Germany cancels show of Iran shah's art trove

GMT 12:57 2017 Friday ,11 August

Military option with N. Korea 'locked and loaded

GMT 10:38 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Al-Sabah, Nawal win Arab Woman Award 2017

GMT 13:30 2016 Thursday ,03 November

Chicago jubilant after Cubs' historic World Series win

GMT 20:23 2018 Thursday ,18 January

UK, France agree new border security treaty

GMT 10:07 2017 Tuesday ,01 August

Pakistan's parliament set to vote for interim PM
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
 
 Themuslimchronicle Facebook,themuslimchronicle facebook  Themuslimchronicle Twitter,themuslimchronicle twitter Themuslimchronicle Rss,themuslimchronicle rss  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©

muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle