Dehydration warning to participants of Great North Run

Sep 19 2009 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

For our live online coverage of the event tomorrow, go to www.journallive.co.uk/greatnorthrun

RUNNERS are being warned to protect themselves against potentially fatal dehydration as thousands of athletes battle the heat in this year’s Great North Run.

More than 54,000 people will pound their way through the streets of Tyneside in a bid to complete the 13.1-mile course from Newcastle to South Shields.

But Met Office forecasters have predicted the heat will peak at temperatures as high as 19C, which has sparked fears for those taking part.

Last night Dr George Rae, from Whitley Bay, chairman of the North Eastern British Medical Association, urged athletes to be fully prepared for high temperatures and the risk of dehydration.

He said: “Many people are aware of the fact that if you are undertaking intensive exercise then there is a risk of dehydration. This is quite a test of endurance. If the temperatures are high then things like dehydration will put a tax on the heart and this will have to be taken into consideration.

“There are stopping off points on the run, showers, and drinks stations, and runners should be aware of these and need to be careful.”

Since the Great North Run started in 1981, there have been seven deaths. In 2005 four people died during the run as temperatures soared past 19C.

Among them was County Durham teacher Phil Lewis, 52, who was taking part in his 24th Great North Run. In 2000 Tommy Shields, 65, from Sandyford, Newcastle, suffered a heart attack and died while training for the event.

In 1995, 35-year-old Ian Graham from Washington died moments after he had crossed the finish line and teacher Thomas Collins, of Fawdon, Newcastle, died after four miles in 1983.