Behobia-San Sebastián warns of heatstroke risk

The organisers of the Behobia-San Sebastián have warned of a high risk of heatstroke and dizziness during Sunday’s race on 8 November, which will cover 20 kilometres from Irun to the Boulevard in San Sebastián. Club Deportivo Fortuna is asking participants to slow down from the start and not to aim for a personal best.

The warning applies to all runners, particularly those taking part for the first time and those hoping to improve their time. Organisers expect temperatures of 20 degrees or more during the race due to the southerly wind and recommend adjusting effort to the conditions with the help of a heart rate monitor.

Temperature and wind during the race

Euskalmet forecasts lows of between 12 and 14 degrees and highs that could reach 20. During the race, the southerly wind is expected to blow at average speeds of between 10 and 20 km/h, with gusts of 30-40 km/h.

The forecast also points to extensive medium and high-level cloud. For now, Euskalmet does not expect any rain. The route includes the climbs of Gaintxurizketa and Miracruz.

Showers and additional medical support

To deal with the expected conditions, Club Deportivo Fortuna will install showers at all refreshment stations and increase medical support, with staff prepared to treat heatstroke and deal with a possible rise in the number of people needing assistance.

Organisers advise runners to drink at the designated stations according to their body’s needs, without drinking too much or too little. They also recommend sleeping for at least seven hours before the race and avoiding alcohol and other drugs.

When to stop and ask for help

If runners experience cramps, dizziness, discomfort or a headache, the official advice is to stop and ask for help. Organisers warn that muscle cramps can be the first sign of a more serious problem.

Heat syncope can cause discomfort, dizziness, unsteadiness or loss of consciousness. Heat exhaustion can prevent runners from continuing and may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Heatstroke is more serious: it can affect the brain, kidneys, muscles and liver, and requires immediate treatment.

Among the individual risk factors, organisers cite lack of rest, concurrent illnesses, lack of acclimatisation and dehydration, as well as personal predisposition, obesity and a low level of training. Heatstroke is linked to ambient heat, humidity and pace, and not directly to fitness or hydration levels.

The club recommends not running with a cold, gastroenteritis or other illnesses. It also advises against taking part while taking diuretics, beta blockers or other cardiovascular medicines and asks runners to seek advice in advance if taking any other type of medication.

Start times and participation

The race has almost 30,000 registered athletes, including 1,722 from Navarre, the highest number in the past nine years.

The wheelchair and handbike categories will start the day at 9:30, followed by the skaters at 9:35. The elite women will start at 9:55 and recreational runners will set off from 10:00, in different groups.

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