Biggest walking event in the world cancelled after the death of 2 walkers.

[Rik Meleet]

In Nijmegen, every year the biggest walking event in the world is held. Today was day 1. And it was awfully hot. 12 people needed CPR and 2 people dies of the heat. 1 more is in crititcal condition in hospital.

The marches are cancelled.

http://www.4daagse.nl/index.asp?taal=en&pagina=homepagina&interactivepage=

 

[jameson]

I don't think the organization had any alternative but to call them off. Nu.nl had some reactions of participants who were whining about the first responder services having to be prepared for this, but I don't think any set of regional first aid teams in the NL could have coped with 48,000 people walking around all over the place engaging in physically exhausting activity in this weather. To insist that they should cope just so the participants can have their fun is ridiculous.

 

[warpus]

Walking is bad, mmmkay

 

[The 777 Hoax]

Geez, how hot was it?

 

[Kemal]

I'm amazed they didn't cancel or at least very much shorten the distance in the first place. Considering how many "unskilled" walkers take part in this event and the extreme heat in the Netherlands atm, it was obvious that people were going to have lots of problems.

Considering what drama has taken place now, canceling is the only sensible option imho... too bad they failed to do so in the first place.

 

[jameson]

Geez, how hot was it?

About 32 degrees Celsius, up to 42 at ground level ( 90+ degrees Fahrenheit).
No temperature to walk 50km in.

 

[LLXerxes]

How many people were against this? There must have been some people stupid enough to oppose the decison.
I'm supportive of it, though. I mean, it's a big thing but risking anybodys life is out of the question. Is it going to be rescheduled?

 

[Rik Meleet]

Today was 32 Celsius, tomorrow 35 is expected. But it's not only the heat, on some parts of the route they have to walk several kilometers without access to water.
It was insanity - so many ambulances were needed that they formed a traffic-jam towards the hospitals. A traffic jam consisting of only ambulances ...

It's a good decision. There is no more room for risk-taking. The alternative of shortening the route from 50 to 40 or 30 kilometers still is risky. What would you think the people'd say if another one died tomorrow? Cancelling is the correct thing to do.

It's a history's first.

 

[Masquerouge]

It's a good decision. There is no more room for risk-taking. The alternative of shortening the route from 50 to 40 or 30 kilometers still is risky. What would you think the people'd say if another one died tomorrow? Cancelling is the correct thing to do.

I'm not sure. Maybe because I am a bit tired of stupidity becoming the norm and putting a stop to a lot of things.

Just because people are stupid and won't bring water on a 50 km. march, or not go because it is too hot, doesn't imply that the event has to stop.

 

[Rik Meleet]

I'm not sure. Maybe because I am a bit tired of stupidity becoming the norm and putting a stop to a lot of things.

Just because people are stupid and won't bring water on a 50 km. march, or not go because it is too hot, doesn't imply that the event has to stop.

The advise today (32 Celsius) was to drink 2 liters every hour. Then there is water to cool your face and body. Tomorrow it will be 35 Celsius. Walking 50 kilometers carrying the required water (40 liters?) is not doable. It's not stupidity of the walkers that is a limiting factor here.
Of course there are villages and medical-depots around where water can be refilled. But for 48000 people needing those amounts of water are simply not possible. Furthermore, the medical depots are designed for normal problems one can expect + a few emergencies - but certainly not for 10000 dehydrated and exhausted people.

The main reason is that no guarantees can be given for the welfare and safety of the paricipants. And if you can't guarantee that, cancellation is an option, perhaps the only option. When you realise 2 people have died (and a 3rd on intensive care) the choice is there. It's not a popular choice now, but it is a brave choice and I think it is the correct choice.

 

[Masquerouge]

The main reason is that no guarantees can be given for the welfare and safety of the paricipants. And if you can't guarantee that, cancellation is an option, perhaps the only option. When you realise 2 people have died (and a 3rd on intensive care) the choice is there. It's not a popular choice now, but it is a brave choice and I think it is the correct choice.

Actually my point was rather why don't people realize BY THEMSELVES they should not go out and walk if it's too hot?

 

[Rik Meleet]

Actually my point was rather why don't people realize BY THEMSELVES they should not go out and walk if it's too hot?

Sorry, I misunderstood.
Yes - some people will realise if they know all details of the situation.

The walkers start at 04:00 am. Which means getting up 02:30 am for breakfast, showering, preparation etc. They'll probably be in bed by 19:00 (7 pm). Many of them don't know all details.

The atmosphere is usually very very optimistic. "We'll make it, no matter what" and "There will be a tap around the corner" and "It's not that hot and it will cool down later on". etc... I don't think you can label optimism and confidence "stupidity" in this case. People have trained a full year for this and a little sun is not going to stop them.

 

[Masquerouge]

Sorry, I misunderstood.

Don't worry - I'm also playing the devil's advocate here

Yes - some people will realise if they know all details of the situation.
The walkers start at 04:00 am. Which means getting up 02:30 am for breakfast, showering, preparation etc. They'll probably be in bed by 19:00 (7 pm). Many of them don't know all details.

A 50 km. walk should not be something you improvise at the last minute. When you go hiking, you ALWAYS check the weather the day before.

The atmosphere is usually very very optimistic. "We'll make it, no matter what" and "There will be a tap around the corner" and "It's not that hot and it will cool down later on". etc... I don't think you can label optimism and confidence "stupidity" in this case. People have trained a full year for this and a little sun is not going to stop them.

Well I understand. You usually change your plans because of bad weather, not because of too good weather... But my guess would be that the deaths are not from people who trained all year long. Maybe I'm wrong...

 

[refracted]

Walking is a thing of the past. People fly everywhere now. Some advantages of flying include not having to hope for a tap around the corner, no stress on the legs, and an absolute zero chance of being killed by a passing terrorist.
Someone should just fly these guys from Barcelona to London; they'd feel really great about the distance they've just traveled, and best of all, they won't be dead.

 

[Souron]

an absolute zero chance of being killed by a passing terrorist.

Not sure about that one, remmembering 9/11 and all. Besides the chance of an accedental air crash.

 

[dutchfire]

I heard the main problem was that there weren't any refreshments in the last part, and the last part had to be walked over a dyke without shade. That was the biggest problem IMO.