Runner Dies In Sweltering Boston Marathon

A runner has died and over 100 others have been treated in hospital after sweltering temperatures led to the hottest Boston Marathon for years in the US.

The female runner suffered a heart attack and three other people are in critical care units at the local hospital after temperatures during the race climbed to 32C on Monday.

Some 135 competitors were taken to hospital and a total of 2,200 runners required treatment of some kind after being overcome on the 26.2 mile (42.16km) run.

Organisers had considered cancelling the marathon and urged inexperienced runners not to take part.

While around 4,000 people did pull out of the race beforehand, more than 98% of the registered 22,853 runners carried on.

Around 40 runners suffering heat exhaustion and dehydration had to be submerged in ice cold water to reduce their body temperatures.

Six of the 17 elite female runners and four of the 20 elite men were forced to abandon the 116th annual race.

"We passed people who were dropping left and right," said runner Kate Walsh, 29, of Norwell, Massachusetts.

Monday's winner, Kenyan Wesley Korir, 29, finished the race after two hours, 12 minutes and 40 seconds.

It was the slowest winning time since 2007 when runners battled driving rain and 30mph winds.

Mr Korir said: "I just kept praying and singing and asking God for the energy."

He added: "It was very important to me to take water, to take fluids, to hydrate as often as possible, even if it led to falling off the pace at times."