Delhi Half Marathon kicks off despite health warning
November 19, 2017
Thousands of runners have taken part in the Delhi Half Marathon despite health warnings from doctors. Participants have to cover 21.1 kilometers in one of the world's most polluted cities.
Delhi and other parts of northern India had been suffering toxic smog since November 8 although light rains around the city helped settle the smog in recent days.
India's Central Pollution Control Board said that despite the slight improvement in air quality from "severe" to "very poor" it was still regarded as extremely unhealthy to take part in the race.
Among the 35,000 people who signed up for the event was 2017 Boston Marathon winner Geoffrey Kirui as well as Olympic 10,000-metre gold medalist Almaz Ayana.
The event was launched in 2005 following the success of the Mumbai full marathon and features countless fundraising initiatives.
The Indian Medical Association advised against holding the eventImage: picture-alliance/AP Images/T. Topgyal
Major health risks
The Delhi High Court had given the go-ahead for the event after organizers made assurances that they had made arrangements to ensure the safety of runners. The Indian Medical Association, however, had asked for the event to be postponed, stressing that the dangers of running in heavy pollution included increasing the risk of asthma, bronchitis and heart attacks.
Organizers set up several ambulances and deployed 75 doctors, 150 paramedics and 1,300 volunteers to six medical stations to deal with any health emergencies that may arise.
Measures to minimize pollution including suspending traffic and washing the route with a substance that absorbs particulate matter were also carried out in advance.
With a population of over 20 million, Delhi witnesses several days of spiking pollution and smog every winter.
At COP23 in Bonn, the world discusses emissions reductions. Meanwhile, Delhi is experiencing some of the worst smog ever.
Image: Picture-Alliance/AP Photo/M. Swarup
Twilight
As the nations of the world discuss strategies to reduce emissions at COP23 in Bonn, on the other side of the world, thick smog has engulfed the Indian capital Delhi.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/D. Faget
Worst air champion
Smog is quite common in Delhi. In fact, the city on the Yamuna river is a sad record holder: it is the capital city with the worst air quality in the world.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/D. Faget
Winter makes things worse
While the advent of winter doesn't bring snow in Delhi, it habitually makes conditions worse in the megacity. That's because the cooler air traps the smog close to the ground.
Image: Picture-Alliance/AP Photo/M. Swarup
That damn traffic!
An important contributor to smog is usually motorized traffic, which holds true for Delhi as well. Beyond that, farmers in nearby rural areas traditionally burn their fields after harvest, thereby making their own contribution to air pollution. This practice is technically banned but authorities tend to turn a blind eye.
Image: Imago/Hindustan Times
The festival of light
This year, Diwali added to the pollution. The Hindu festival of light not only brought a lot of traffic to the city, it also involved burning large amounts of firecrackers. And it goes on for five days!
Image: Getty Images/AFP/S. Hussain
Can't breathe, can't see
The smog in the city has gotten so thick that it has become difficult to breathe. It burns the eyes and throat and many people complain of headaches. It even obscures the sun.
Image: Reuters/A. Abidi
Face mask
People try to protect themselves against the fine particle pollution as best they can using scarves and face masks. But there is really no escaping it.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/P. Singh
More than a little too high
On Wednesday, pollution levels in the city reached almost 30 times those considered safe by the World Health Organization.
Image: Reuters/S. Khandelwal
Pollution, the great equalizer?
Even heads of state can't escape the thick air. The Belgian King Philippe, inspecting a military guard of honor during his state visit to Delhi is shrouded in smog just like everyone else.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/M. Swarup
Cheap fares and expensive parking
In a first measure to reduce pollution, the city government has targeted motorized transportation. By lowering fares on public transport and raising the fees for parking, it hopes to keep people from driving.
Image: Imago/Hindustan Times
No school this week
The chocking smog has also led the city to shut all schools for the remainder of the week.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/S. Hussain
Protesting pollution
People in Delhi are fed up with the chronically bad air quality in their city. These women wearing face masks are on their way to a protest. So far, the city's response to the crisis has been half-hearted at best.
