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In Atlanta, about 60,000 runners are preparing for the largest 10K in the country, the Fourth of July Peachtree Road Race. This year, though, excessive heat is threatening runners' safety. Amanda Andrews with Georgia Public Broadcasting talked to some racers about how they are preparing for high temperatures.
AMANDA ANDREWS, BYLINE: It's just over 90 degrees on a Monday evening as members of the Atlanta Run Club gather for their workout. This practice is a kickoff run for the Peachtree Road Race. Robert Santee is new to the Run Club, and this is his first year competing.
ROBERT SANTEE: I've really been prepping myself, kind of staying in a sauna for about 30 to 40 minutes per run, doing squats and different in-place runs just to kind of get my body used to - acclimated and actually breathing in the heat 'cause I know it's going to be pretty hot come race day.
ANDREWS: At this practice, club leaders hand out free water, sunscreen, and remind people to stay hydrated.
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: From this day forward, it's only going to get hotter. It's only going to get harder.
ANDREWS: For the past six years, Farhaan Merchant has run the Peachtree. He says he starts drinking electrolyte-heavy beverages a few days before July 4.
FARHAAN MERCHANT: And then race morning, I wake up extra early, take some extra electrolytes, and then while I'm waiting for the race to start, I drink up again.
ANDREWS: It's not unusual for Atlanta to get to 90 degrees in July, but not early in the day. So by 10:30, race organizers will stop any runner who hasn't finished and clear the road, says Rich Kenah, director of the Road Race. They've also set up medical tents along the route, he says.
RICH KENAH: We do expect that, unless people heed our warnings, we will see more people in our medical tents, and that's the message for everybody this year. You cannot will your way through heat and humidity.
ANDREWS: And veteran Tes Marshall, who will run her 14th Peachtree Road Race, has this advice for newbies.
TES MARSHALL: Definitely take your time. You know, unless you have been literally training in this type of heat, don't go out there and try to be a hero.
ANDREWS: The Peachtree Road Race starts around 6 a.m. with the wheelchair race. For NPR News, I'm Amanda Andrews in Atlanta.
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