Sports · Running & Athletics · 4 hrs ago
Two teams withdraw from Japan women's relay amid heat concerns
Two teams withdrew from Japan’s Princess Ekiden qualifying race on October 18 after runners became unable to continue.
The race began at 12:10 p.m., when the temperature was 28°C.
Higo Bank runner Mayu Tsukamoto stumbled and fell during the first section, while Kagoshima Bank’s Yuka Nomura withdrew during the fifth section.
Organisers said heat illness was suspected in both cases.
The event had water stations and places to receive ice, but some runners also collapsed after handing over the relay sash.
The incidents have renewed questions about race safety and start times for autumn events.
The commentary argues that moving the start to the morning should be considered, though no change for this race was announced.
Two teams withdrew from the Princess Ekiden women’s relay in Japan on October 18.
Race officials said both withdrawals were suspected heatstroke cases.
The race began at 12:10 p.m., when the temperature was 28°C.
Higo Bank runner Mayu Tsukamoto fell during the first leg, and Kagoshima Bank runner Yuka Nomura withdrew during the fifth leg.
The article said the race had water and ice stations, but raised questions about whether the start should be moved earlier.
- Who
- Higo Bank’s Mayu Tsukamoto and Kagoshima Bank’s Yuka Nomura withdrew.
- What
- Two teams withdrew from the Princess Ekiden; officials said the cases were suspected heatstroke.
- When
- October 18; the race started at 12:10 p.m.
- Where
- The Princess Ekiden in Japan. The article does not state a more specific location.
- Why
- The event headquarters said heatstroke was suspected in both cases.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The race started when the temperature was 28°C.
Higo Bank’s Mayu Tsukamoto fell and was unable to move.
Kagoshima Bank’s Yuka Nomura withdrew from the race.
The event headquarters announced that heatstroke was suspected in both cases.
- Race
- Princess Ekiden
- Race start
- 12:10 p.m. on October 18
- Temperature at start
- 28°C
- First withdrawal
- Higo Bank’s Mayu Tsukamoto, first leg
- Second withdrawal
- Kagoshima Bank’s Yuka Nomura, fifth leg
- Suspected cause
- Heatstroke, according to the event headquarters