Half-marathoner ends run with heart attack

When Shirish Dhande, 52, ran across the finish line of the half marathon on Sunday, his joy was short-lived. He developed a sharp pain in his chest and collapsed.

When Shirish Dhande, 52, ran across the finish line of the half marathon on Sunday, his joy was short-lived. He developed a sharp pain in his chest and collapsed. His friends rushed him to the medical camp at Azad Maidan, where doctors said he had suffered a heart attack. Dhande was taken to Bombay Hospital, where he was administered blood thinners. "He is stable now and recovering," said Dr Sagar Sakle, Bombay Hospital.

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Though many participants made it to the finish line of the Mumbai Marathon, over 2,500 runners complained of leg cramps, muscle pain, sprain, dehydration and giddiness.

Harshad Pulin, 40, who was running the half marathon, fell midway and suffered severe dehydration and was disoriented when taken to Bombay Hospital. Both Dhande and Pulin are kept under observation in the hospital's ICU.

Of the seven other serious cases brought to the health camp, one suffered head injury, one had chest pain, one vomited blood, three suffered severe dehydration and one was admitted with giddiness. "These were critical cases and if not attended in time, the situation would have gotten worse," said Dr Vijay D'Silva, medical director, Asian Heart Institute.

According to doctors, this year many runners came unprepared. "People should practise for at least three months before participating," said Dr Ramakant Panda, vice chairman, Asian Heart Institute.