Polluted air doesn’t deter distance runners

NEW DELHI» This month in New Delhi, the air has been so acrid that people have suffered from burning eyes and rasping throats. So the notion that thousands would take to the city streets to gulp down lungful after lungful in a distance race may seem strange to many.

But even as India’s polluted air threatens health, the nation seems to be embracing the idea of physical fitness.

On Sunday, the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon went ahead, despite the Indian Medical Association taking last-minute court action seeking to have it postponed.

In the cool half-light before dawn, street folk stoked smoking piles of trash to keep warm while race organizers adjusted placards along the route.

In the start area, runner Sunil Baxi, who traveled 11 hours by train from Jodhpur to compete, spoke over the blaring motivational music, saying he was thankful the air had gotten clearer.

“The gods have sent in the rain yesterday and over the last 48 hours,” he said. “So it’s a blessing for us.”

Air pollution has been an issue for the running event but was brought into sharp focus this month after airquality readings in New Delhi spiked to 75 times the level considered safe by the World Health Organization.

Three days before the race, Delhi’s High Court gave race organizer Procam International permission to proceed with the run.

As runners glided past some of New Delhi’s landmarks like India Gate, they were treated to an unusual peacefulness on the streets. Blaring horns were replaced with slapping feet and enthusiastic drumming from supporters. A Sikh group stood in matching shirts, urging the runners on.

Still, many runners remained frustrated. Ashish Shakya said he’d barely been able to train in the past month because the air quality had been so poor. He wore a handmade sign on his back that read, “Running is in the air but the air is highly polluted.”