World of Hurt

Marathon runner at the Savannah Rock'n Roll Marathon last week. This was about the 7 mile mark, less than a third of the way through. The temperature was in the mid 80's with very high humidity. I photographed a number of runners. None of them looked happy. This runner had removed his shirt, but he appeared dry. I suspect he had become dehydrated, although there was water being given out at numerous stations. I understand they came up short of water; not surprising.

One person died during the race, a 35 year old man. One 45 year old man died several hours after the race, at home. They cut the race short by several miles, or it might have been worse.

I've spent my working life in the out of doors. The most dangerous thing I have encountered are the effects of heat. Not snakes, not gators, not hornets, feral dogs or wild pigs; just heat. And even mild heat coupled with high humidity and over-exertion is like being boiled alive. Seems to me the race folks and the runners should have known better.