Delhi half-marathon: Thousands brave smoggy conditions despite health warnings
More than 30,000 people competed in the 13.1 mile (21 km) race despite almost two weeks of hazardous pollution levels that forced schools shut for several days.
Tens of thousands of runners braved smoggy conditions for the Delhi half-marathon on Sunday despite dire health warnings from doctors who wanted the race postponed in the heavily polluted Indian capital. (Photo | PTI)
More than 30,000 people competed in the 13.1 mile (21 km) race despite almost two weeks of hazardous pollution levels that forced schools shut for several days. (Photo | PTI)
The US embassy website Sunday showed levels of the smallest and most harmful airborne pollutants reached 214 -- nearly nine times the World Health Organization's safe maximum. (Photo | PTI)
Some runners wore face masks as they jogged through the visible morning haze and complained of side effects from the polluted conditions. (Photo | PTI)
The Indian Medical Association had asked the Delhi High Court to postpone the event after a surge in pollution levels that it described as a public health emergency. (Photo | PTI)
However, on Thursday the court said it was satisfied by the organisers' reassurances that they were doing everything they could to ease concerns, and the race was given the green light. (Photo | PTI)
Most were amateur runners, but there were a handful of world-class athletes including Kenya's Geoffrey Kipkorir Kirui, winner of this year's London marathon. (Photo | PTI)
Birhanu Legese of Ethiopia, who won the men's race Sunday, said the pollution was 'not that bad'. (Photo | PTI)
India's G Lakshmanan falls down as Nitendra Singh Rawat moves past him near the finish line to win the gold at the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon 2017 in New Delhi on Sunday. (Photo | PTI)
Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore extends support to Indian silver medal winner G Lakshmanan after he fell down while crossing the finish line. (Photo | PTI)
