This Sunday midday, coinciding with the yellow alert for extreme high temperatures that surpassed 30 degrees in various areas of Bizkaia, several runners participating in the Galipa Mendi Bira mountain race, organized by the Zierbena City Council, experienced indispositions and required medical attention. The Basque Government's Security Department reported that several participants suffered heatstroke.
The race featured three categories, ranging from 22 kilometers to a 5-kilometer family walk. The most demanding event, the long trail, started at 09:30. The circuit passed through the port of Zierbena and La Arena beach, also covering the area of the old canyons of Punta Lucero and Serantes mountain, among other locations.
Due to the high temperatures and the issues arising from the indisposition and disorientation of some runners, the Provincial Council of Bizkaia confirmed the deployment of all available personnel from the Urioste Firefighters park. They attended to four individuals: one at the race site and three who were transferred to a health center.
The challenging terrain necessitated the presence of the Ertzaintza's mountain helicopter. The Basque Government's Security Department stated that the helicopter transported a 30-year-old male due to heatstroke. On Serantes mountain, an agent from the Surveillance and Rescue Unit (U.V.R.) was responsible for the runner.
“"I thought I was going to die. It was very hot from the beginning. I pushed my body to the limit and I don't remember anything from the end. I was unconscious for 20 minutes. They had to carry me, I couldn't walk or talk. I thought I was going to die."
Yvonne Iturgaiz, a regular participant in these mountain races, fainted and fell when she was in second place, 4 kilometers from the finish line. "It was very hot from the beginning. I pushed my body to the limit and I don't remember anything from the end. I was unconscious for 20 minutes. They had to carry me, I couldn't walk or talk. I thought I was going to die," she told this newspaper from Cruces hospital, where she has been admitted. "I have no control over my body, I am recovering little by little," she added.
Out of the 864 runners registered for the long trail (22 km), the short trail (14 km), and the long walk (18 km), a total of 137 started the race and subsequently withdrew or did not reach the finish line.
The Galipo Mendi Bira is a race with a strong tradition in the locality. Part of the funds raised this year from registrations will be donated to Adembi, the multiple sclerosis association of Bizkaia.
