Hot temperatures and high humidity may be to blame for an uptick in the number of runners treated for illnesses and injuries during this year's Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 Marathon in Virginia Beach.
Nearly 16,000 people participated in the race Sunday at the Oceanfront.
For the first time, Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital set up a tent hospital at the Oceanfront to treat runners.
In previous years, between 50 and 60 runners were treated for injuries and illnesses.
However, just over 100 runners were treated at the mobile emergency room this year, most for heat-related illnesses.
Five runners had to be taken to Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital for treatment because of the extent of their illnesses.
Michael Robinson ran the race for fun Sunday and said the heat was intolerable.
"It was brutal out there. Conditions were as bad as they've ever been. I've run all 12 of them now and I can't remember a year that was worse than this one," Robinson said.
Justin Turner ended up finishing the race 14th overall, yet the heat and humidity still slowed him down.
"I had to reset my goals a little bit. I had wanted to go a little bit faster but with the heat and humidity, it just wasn't possible," Turner explained.
Turner is training for the Marine Corps Marathon in October and says despite the heat and humidity, he wouldn't have wanted to miss the Rock 'n' Roll for anything.
