Porto Half Marathon organizers defend safety after athlete hospitalizations

The organizers of the Porto Half Marathon, Run Porto, have defended their safety and health protocols following the hospitalization of several athletes due to heatstroke during Sunday's event. Organizer Jorge Teixeira described the response as ‘exemplary,’ stating that the medical setup prevented more severe consequences, including potential deaths.

During the race, temperatures reached approximately 30 degrees Celsius. The medical deployment included 76 personnel, such as 16 doctors, nurses, emergency technicians, the Red Cross, and firefighters. The organization utilized 14 to 15 ambulances and an advanced medical post at the finish line that assisted over 300 people.

Ten athletes required hospital care, with five being admitted to the São João and Santo António hospitals. While two athletes remain in intensive care, officials reported that most hospitalized runners are breathing on their own and showing positive progress. Teixeira attributed the incidents to heatstroke rather than dehydration, noting that 90,000 bottles of water were distributed.

In response to the incidents, Run Porto announced changes for the 2027 edition, including moving the start time from 9:00 to 8:00 to avoid peak heat, reducing the number of participants, increasing water stations, and adjusting the route to include more shaded areas along the Douro River.