The temperatures of over 30 degrees Celsius predicted for the city of Lisbon next Sunday are the biggest concern of the organization of the Lisbon Marathon, a race in which six thousand athletes participate.
The president of Maratona Clube de Portugal, Carlos Móia, warns of the heat forecast for the Portuguese capital on Sunday morning (October 8) and asks athletes to “respect their bodies so that everything goes optimally”.
“The organization is positively concerned about the athletes. That is why in the half marathon we have eliminated the climb to Marquês de Pombal, which is the last 800 meters, and at the place where the athletes will catch the buses that will take them to the start. We will have 24,000 bottles of water so that they can hydrate before the race,” explained Carlos Móia, who stressed that there will be no resupply during the first six kilometers of the race.
On a hot day, the marathon chairman asks athletes to be careful and even says that “it’s not a day for records.”
“We are trying to do everything we can, we hope it goes well, but the athletes must also help, understand their bodies. If you need to stop or slow down, do so, because given the temperature forecast it will certainly not work.” be a day to break records. We ask athletes to be careful so that we can have a big celebration at the end,” asked the organizer of the Lisbon Marathon and Half Marathon.
Regarding the importance of the events and a new athletics morning in the Portuguese capital, Carlos Móia emphasized that “in terms of economic impact, running events are ahead of all sporting events that take place in the city”, and that this is not only thanks to the organizations, but also the way the city knows how to welcome everyone who visits it.
“Since it will not be a day of records, the course is not the most suitable for that. Where we can make a difference is in the quality of the race, the beauty of the course and making people feel comfortable. in our city,” concludes the Marathon chairman.
Ângelo Pereira, councilor of the Lisbon City Council, shares the same view, admitting that it is an event with “major economic impact”.
“This marathon is a reference for the city when it comes to major events, it has an international impact. The main objective is to promote physical activity, sport and the adoption of a healthy lifestyle, but we should not forget that it is an event with a great economic impact, allowing thousands of people to enjoy the city. Lisbon is and will remain fashionable, and these events promote the city all over the world,” the mayor emphasized.
The marathon, which will connect Cascais with Praça do Comércio in Lisbon, will start at 8:00 am, while the ‘half’, starting from Ponte Vasco da Gama and ending at Praça do Comércio, will start at 10:30 am.
Source: DN
