: Thousands of people who participated in Sunday's half marathon in India's capital had more than just running 21 kilometers through Delhi's streets on a misty, chilly morning to deal with. They also had to overcome the city's unparalleled air pollution.
last year, the World Health Organization (WHO) named New Delhi the world's most polluted city. Twelve other Indian cities ranked among the world's most polluted 20.
On Sunday, most of New Delhi's government-run air monitors were showing "very poor" readings, providing an extra challenge for those taking part in the annual half marathon.
More than 30,000 people participated in the race. Two runners were seen being taken to ambulances, but it was not known why they needed medical attention.
Still, the event proceeded in a carnival atmosphere, with Ethiopia's Birhanu legese and Kenya's Cynthia limo winning the men's and women's elite categories.
PM2.5 the very fine particles that get lodged deep in the lungs and cause the most damage crossed 300 at some places in New Delhi, but very few runners wore pollution masks during the race.
"I've never tried to run with a mask. The idea of wearing one for the race seems uncomfortable," said one of the runners, Shruti Saxena, a businesswoman who has been distance running in New Delhi for eight years. "We're breathing the same air even if we stop running, and I'd rather run than not."
The race is typically scheduled for late October or November, when air is cooler and the scorching north Indian summer has ended. But the cold weather also leads to spikes in smog levels.