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12 runners suffer heat exhaustion, collapse during Paju marathon

Published: 20 Apr. 2026, 15:44 Updated: 20 Apr. 2026, 17:15

Runners take part in a marathon in Paju, Gyeonggi, on Nov. 2, 2025. [YONHAP]

Twelve runners collapsed from heat exhaustion during a marathon in Paju, Gyeonggi, on Sunday, as authorities pointed to unseasonably warm weather as the likely cause.

Emergency services received reports around 10:30 a.m. that participants were collapsing along the race route in Munsan, a town within Paju, according to fire officials.

Eight emergency vehicles were dispatched to the scene, where first aid responders worked with other agencies to tend to the injured and transport some to healthcare facilities.

A total of 12 participants showed symptoms including reduced consciousness, hyperventilation, convulsions and exhaustion, with seven being taken to hospitals, officials said.

Authorities pointed to a sudden spike in temperatures as a key factor. The local mercury rose to around 29 degrees Celsius (84.2 degrees Fahrenheit) during the race, raising the risk of heat-related health issues for runners.

The combination of sustained physical activity, heat exposure and rapid loss of fluids and electrolytes likely overwhelmed the body’s ability to regulate temperature, according to officials.

An official from emergency services warned that intense exercise in high temperatures can quickly impair the body’s cooling mechanisms, and that people should heed signs that they could be on the verge of heat exhaustion.

“If symptoms such as dizziness, reduced consciousness or a sudden stop in sweating appear, people should stop exercising immediately and cool their bodies to prevent the onset of heatstroke,” the official said.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY JEONG JAE-HONG [[email protected]]