Not only the Half Marathon of Roosendaal, but also other sporting events are struggling with the high temperatures this weekend. In this way it is also too hot under the feet at the Engelenrun and a football tournament in Helmond has also been canceled. Other events are still trying to look for a solution for the heat.
On Wednesday afternoon, the organization of the Half Marathon of Roosendaal announced that the event will most likely not take place this year. The temperatures in some places of the course can amount to 34 degrees. As a result, the organization cannot guarantee the safety of runners.
Moving the time of the event offers no solution. Only if it unexpectedly gets cooler could the event continue, but that does not seem to be the case for the time being. The final decision will fall on Friday.
Furthermore, the angel run had to suffer from the upcoming hot weather. More than 1200 participants would participate in the running event in Engelen. “We were so looking forward to it!” The organization writes in a statement. “But despite the many water posts and shortening the course, we cannot let the runners start safely enough.”
“If we can’t keep them cool and they still want to run through the water points, there is a chance of irreparable damage, or worse.”
The organization of the run emphasizes that with excessive temperatures, young athletes mainly run a high risk. “If we can’t keep them cool and they still want to run through the water points, there is a chance of irreparable damage, or worse.”
“We realize that this is a huge disappointment,” writes football club vv Bruheze from Helmond. A football tournament would actually take place there this weekend, but here too the rising mercury throws a spanner in the works. “It was not an easy decision. Yet we think the risk is too great.”
At the De Maasdijk running event they are used to dealing with warm weather. For example, the running parts start in the evening, around 6 p.m. “We are actually designed to get hot, heat is no longer an exception,” says Marco Leenders, chairman of Athletics Association Oss ’78. “We then decided to start running in the evening, the longer you walk, the cooler it gets.”
“We keep our finger on the pulse.”
Nevertheless, despite the measures, paying attention this weekend. “We understand that the heat increases during the day, it gets very hot at 6 p.m.,” says the chairman. The organization of the event is currently in consultation with the security services and the municipality on possible measures. “We keep our finger on the pulse.”
On Thursday, the organization will take a decision about additional measures for the heat. According to the chairman, starting a marathon does not make much sense. “Then the people who take longer get it, it is getting hotter.”
Not everywhere in the province, athletes are awake because of the prospect of more than 30 degrees. The organization of Wielertoerocht Rijsbergen Demarrert is looking forward to it. “It is actually great to do with cycling, you also drive a lot under trees and you can always stop at a catering establishment on the road. The tap will at least flow there on Sunday.”
