Runners wear gas masks in Delhi race

TENS of thousands of runners yesterday choked through smog for the Delhi half marathon, ignoring dire health warnings from doctors who fought for the controversial race in the heavily polluted capital to be postponed.

More than 30 000 people, some sporting pollution masks, braved a hazy morning to run through the Indian capital, despite almost two weeks of hazardous smog that forced schools shut for several days.

The US Embassy website yesterday showed levels of the smallest and most harmful airborne pollutants hovered near 200 -- eight times the World Health Organisation’s safe maximum -- for the duration of the 21.1 km race.

Some athletes complained of side effects from the polluted conditions which worsened as amateur runners -- the bulk of the competitors -- huffed and puffed around Delhi’s smoggy streets later in the morning.

“My eyes are burning, my throat is dry. I have a running nose,” running enthusiast Rohit Mohan, a 30-year-old from Bangalore who wore a mask, said.

Others expressed frustration at being forced to take precautions unnecessary elsewhere, like wearing masks that filter pollutants but also restrict breathing.

But the overwhelming majority ran without masks and expressed relief that Delhi’s atrocious air -recently so bad doctors declared a public health emergency -- had lowered to levels considered merely “unhealthy”.

“It’s bright and pleasant. We are simply loving it,” 28-year-old runner Saikat Banerjee said, despite the high level of airborne pollutants.

Race organisers declared the event an unequivocal success that “lived up to its legacy of being the world’s most prestigious half marathon”. – AFP