March 15, 2013

(JTA) — One man died and 12 people suffered serious medical complications during a marathon held in Tel Aviv despite government warnings of extremely hot weather.

The municipality cut the marathon short.

According to Army Radio, the man, 37, died on Friday as a result of heat exhaustion and possibly dehydration – the two causes that sent a total of about 30 runners to hospitals.

The Health Ministry advised runners to stop running after 8.30 A.M. because of the heatwave but many of the 35,000 who had gathered to run pressed on in the event’s two courses of 13 and 6.2 miles.

Shortly after medical teams reported serious cases, the city cancelled the event, which was held in humid conditions and a temperature of roughly 96.8 degrees. Average daytime temperatures in Tel Aviv in March are around 66.56 degrees.

Army Radio also quoted Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai as saying that President Obama’s scheduled visit to Israel next week made it impossible to postpone the event.

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