During the '2026 Ulsan Marathon' held on October 11, 21 participants were hospitalized due to symptoms of heat exhaustion. The temperature in Ulsan exceeded 26 degrees Celsius, and some participants reported a shortage of water at the hydration stations along the course. In response, the city of Ulsan has initiated an investigation into the event's management.
According to the Ulsan Fire Department, around 11 a.m., multiple 119 emergency calls reported participants experiencing dizziness, vomiting, high fever, general weakness, leg cramps, and fainting.
The fire authorities deployed 119 ambulances and private ambulances to transport the patients to local hospitals.
As of 2:30 p.m., a total of 21 participants had been transported to hospitals, including 15 by 119 ambulances and 6 by private services. Most of the transported individuals exhibited symptoms of heat exhaustion, and no serious injuries were reported. Additionally, five others who complained of dizziness and headaches received emergency treatment on-site.
Heat exhaustion can occur when individuals engage in prolonged physical activity in high temperatures, leading to excessive sweating and a depletion of body fluids and salts. Symptoms may include dizziness, headaches, vomiting, and lethargy.
Despite being mid-October, Ulsan experienced unusually high temperatures. According to the Ulsan Meteorological Office, the temperature at 11 a.m. was recorded at 26.8 degrees Celsius.
Approximately 10,000 participants took part in the event, organized by the Ulsan Athletics Federation, which featured three courses: a half marathon (21.0975 km), 10 km, and 5 km.
As the number of patients increased, concerns were raised regarding the hydration management during the event. Some participants claimed that the hydration stations along the course ran out of water, indicating a lack of preparation by the organizers.
The Ulsan Athletics Federation reported to the city that they had prepared 1.7 times more bottled water than last year, but the unexpectedly high temperatures led to a shortage.
The city of Ulsan plans to investigate whether there were any issues with the event's management, including hydration.
Ulsan Mayor Kim Sang-wook stated on social media that the occurrence of such incidents, regardless of the reasons, should be reflected upon, and he emphasized the need for careful oversight of safety management in future events.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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