Four men die competing in the Great North Run

[Pirate Smile]

Four runners collapsed and died yesterday during the 13-mile Great North Run.

The causes of death were not disclosed but organisers said the weather was very warm and many runners had suffered heat-related problems.

More than 50,000 people took part in the half-marathon from Newcastle to South Shields, which was celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Paul Bouch, 25, a student from Newcastle who completed the run, said: "After about 10 miles, the ambulances were everywhere and some of the people looked in a bad way. But it was difficult to get the ambulances to the roadside because it's just so packed with people.

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/article313549.ece

[Taxloss]

1. Happy International Talk Like a Pirate Day, Pirate Smile!

Arrrrr, etc.

[non sociopath skin]

2. Sad. I wonder how many participants train and prepare adequately.

A lot of the fancy-dress charity-run folk - hearts in the right place, to be sure - don't always look as if they're ready for the very real ordeal of a half-marathon.

The Skin