Delhi’s Marathoners Unfazed Even as Smog Threat Looms Large

The Airtel Delhi Half-Marathon is all set to hit the roads of the capital city on Sunday, despite numerous warnings and a massive outcry by health practitioners and other parties concerned.

The outcry comes in light of the deadly smog that has enveloped the city in a thick blanket, leaving many breathless as they struggle to go about their daily chores.

But the smog is no threat to the spirit of the marathoners who have been prepping for over a year to participate in the Delhi Half-Marathon.

Speaking to the BloombergQuint in a video, many runners say their improved stamina will not let them down in the marathon. But the Indian medical Association doesn’t seem to think so.

According to the IMA, the Delhi smog is equivalent to smoking not one, not two but a little over two packs of cigarettes, everyday.

The effects of pollution will not come in one day. They (the runners) are not bothered about what is going to happen to them after ten years.

Dr KK Aggarwal, National President of the IMA 

Aggarwal is of the opinion that running in these conditions is beyond awful, it is potentially fatal. Citing the Beijing marathon of 2015, which saw six people die of heart attacks at the course, Aggarwal said that Delhi is not far behind.

Similarly, Dr Arvind Kumar, a leading chest surgeon in the city says that running through the smog has nothing to do with be physically fit. Instead, it is the lungs that are at risk.

You cannot train your lungs to not accept the pollutant that is presented to it. I don’t think that kind of training is possible. 

Dr Arvind Kumar, Chest Surgeon

While the IMA has time and again asked for the event to be cancelled owing to the hazards it poses, the main sponsor Airtel has threatened to pull out of the marathon next year if the government does not address the pollution problem.

The promoters of the event too are not very keen on the marathon being held, saying that the health concerns are ‘short sighted’. However, the IMA is still hopeful that the courts will still intervene and at least postpone the event to a time when the air quality is marginally better in the city.

(Breathe In, Breathe Out: Are you finding it tough to breathe polluted air? Join hands with FIT to find #PollutionKaSolution. Send in your suggestions to [e-mail] or WhatsApp @ [phone])