More than 10,000 runners, braved unhealthy PM2.5 dust levels this morning to take part in a 10-km mini marathon over the new Rama X Bridge. The event was organised by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA).
PM2.5 on the bridge and along the route was measured at 58.1 microns which is above the 37.5 micron safe level. The event started at 5am and ended at 9am.
MRTA Governor Surachet Laophulsuk said today that his team had expressed concern about the air pollution and had been assessing the situation on daily basis, to determine whether the run should be cancelled.
He said that the PM2.5 level this morning was, however, below the level that is dangerous to most people, so he decided to let the event go ahead. Nonetheless, he said that precautionary measures had been taken, such as face masks, medical personnel ready to help runners and water trucks to spray water to disperse dust.
Furthermore, the governor said runners who could not complete the 10-km run in one go had been advised to pause for a rest before continuing.
One runner told a Thai PBS reporter that he checked the air pollution level with the Air4Thai website and saw that it was within the Orange (unhealthy for sensitive groups) level and decided to participate, but wore a face mask. He added that he would walk instead of run, to reduce the risk of inhaling pollutants.
The 2-km long, eight-lane cable-stayed bridge across the Chao Phraya River is the widest bridge in Thailand.
