Runners suffer heat exhaustion, injuries during a hot Ottawa Race Weekend
The intense summer-like heat during the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend caused many runners to experience heat exhaustion, heat stroke, falls and other serious injuries.
There was an entire operation set up by the Ottawa Hospital only steps from the finish line, with more than 100 health professionals ready for anything that could go wrong this weekend.
CTV News Ottawa looked behind-the-scenes at the work of the satellite facility to be ready for the 27,500 runners who participated on Saturday and Sunday.
The facility was up and running by 6:30 a.m. Sunday, staffed by doctors, nurses, support staff, paramedics, and volunteers.
Staff treated more than 90 patients throughout the race weekend.
"We are seeing a lot of heat exhaustion and some patients are coming in with some falls, some blisters, and some participants are also unfortunately having some heat stroke as well,” said Dr. Rajan Walia, a resident doctor at the Ottawa Hospital.
Heat stroke and heat exhaustion were real risks for runners, as the temperature in the national capital reached 30 C on Sunday.
"One of the most common symptoms is a lot of nausea and some patients do have vomiting," Dr. Walia said. "In the heat it’s hard to keep up with your electrolytes and fluids."
The satellite hospital was stocked with medical supplies, patient beds, and first aid materials.
"Once they are in the building, we have buckets of ice water and water spray bottles that we use to bring their temperature down," said Michael Dans, a registered nurse working at the facility.
Staff are also equipped for acute care and more serious injuries.
"For patients who require more invasive interventions, we have a good link with the Ottawa Hospital, so patients that are a bit sicker that need the help, they are able to be transferred appropriately," Dr. Walia said on Sunday.
Depending on the severity of the medical issue, not all runners can make it to the site on their own two feet. There are ambulances, medical golf carts and other emergency vehicles set up along the race route.
Every possible scenario is thought of and planned for ahead of the race weekend.
"At the end of the race, we have what we call huggers," Dans said. "Those are people watching you cross the finish line and sometimes we see people collapse right there, so we will get the blankets on them and get them in a wheelchair and they will wheel them over to the medical building."
Officials say to prevent getting sick on the course, stay hydrated before and after the race, take your time, and dress properly for the weather.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Breast cancer screening should start at age 40, Canadian Cancer Society says
The Canadian Cancer Society says all provinces and territories should lower the starting age for breast cancer screening to 40.
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Canadian-Israeli man shot dead in Egypt; claim links killing to Gaza
A Canadian man 'of Jewish Israeli descent' has been shot dead in the Egyptian city of Alexandria in a suspected criminal case, a security source said, while a previously unknown militant group said it carried out the attack in reaction to the war in Gaza.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.