Runner who collapsed still in a critical condition

HONG KONG - A MAN who collapsed while running the Hong Kong Marathon on Sunday was still in a critical condition yesterday.

The 28-year-old was being treated for heat stroke after he fell ill during the annual race.

More than 30 runners were treated at the hospital.

Aside from the 28-year-old, four others needed to remain in hospital overnight.

A 53-year-old man collapsed and died, and 5,000 more needed medical treatment during last year's race, which took place in high levels of pollution.

A record 44,000 braved the haze and high humidity to join Sunday's race.

However, some 6,200 runners were taken ill.

A spokesman from the Auxiliary Medical Service said that 80 per cent of the runners developed muscle cramps. Some suffered from dehydration and blisters.

Said Chan Yiu-wing: 'Whether it's related to air quality inside the cross-harbour tunnel where part of the marathon is held, we will review it.'

Pollution levels were at the medium to high range, according to Hong Kong's air pollution index.

Relative humidity reached 95 per cent in temperatures of about 25 deg C.

Worsening air pollution has become a key political and social issue in the Chinese territory bordering Guangdong, one of the mainland's major industrial areas.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE