They came to Atlanta from 48 states and Washington to push themselves to exhaustion in temperatures better suited for sitting under a shade tree than lacing up running shoes.
There were more than 60,000 of them, most dressed in running clothes, some in military uniform, others in costumes, who came to run in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race, believed to be the world's largest 10-kilometer event.
Unlike last year's cool 66-degree, starting-time temperatures this year's temperature was 73 degrees with shirt-soaking humidity. It was the hottest starting temperature since 1997's 74-degree mark.
"It was just too hot," said Kenya's Sammy Kitwara, who received $15,000 as the first-place finisher in the men's competition. He finished in 28 minutes, 5 seconds. All times are unofficial.
"There's no way it was 73 degrees," runner Ed Moran said.
Peachtree rookie Mathew Kisorio tried to take control of the race at the beginning, posting an unofficial two-mile time of 8:38, a pace that would have shattered the course record (27:04). Kitwara caught up and the duo ran shoulder to shoulder for most of the final three miles of the 6.2-mile journey through Atlanta. Kitwara outsprinted Kisorio to the finish line for his second victory in three years in the event.
Ethiopia's Werknesh Kidane won the women's race, topping the field in 31:22.
Ben True was the top American runner, finishing fifth in 28:28.
"It was quite unbearable at the end," said True, who was competing in the event for the first time.
Cedartown's Krige Schabort won the men's wheelchair race for the fourth time in 19:47, and Tatyana McFadden defended her title in the women's wheelchair event in 24:46.
Some runners handled the heat better than others. Adriana Nelson, who at sixth was the top U.S. women's finisher, was happy with her time of 32:49 and didn't mind the conditions. She recently ran a race in New York in similar heat, which helped prepare her for the Peachtree.
Runners took advantage of the numerous water and mist stations along the course to stay hydrated. The post-race medical tents were busier than in previous year's races. Most runners experienced normal cramping and dehydration, with at least one runner collapsing before the finish line.
The temperature increased to 81 degrees when the last runners crossed the start line and hit 86, according to www.weather.com, by the time they finished.
The heat didn't affect many of the racers until they turned east and began the final stretch down 10th Street toward Piedmont Park.
"That's when I could feel the sun beating on me," Alpharetta's Parris Mitchell said.
More than 91 percent of the race entrants live in the Peach State and many said they felt fine, even if they noticed the steadily creeping humidity.
"It was hot," said Ed Swords, 90, a Canton resident competing in his 13th Peachtree. "But my daughter helped me stay hydrated."
Those who braved the course in costumes, including Jed Byrne, who chose to wear a head-to-toe American flag body suit made out of polyester, and Pete Coleman Jr., who ran in a tuxedo and resembled a Six Flags mascot, said they actually prepared as if the temperatures were going to be worse.
"It's Atlanta," Coleman said. "If you're not prepared for the heat you're probably from up North, like I am."
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