The Doha World Championships descended into carnage in the early hours of Saturday morning, with close to half the women’s marathon field failing to finish as sweltering conditions caused shocking scenes of multiple athletes collapsing in distress.

Despite the race starting at midnight in an attempt to avoid the brutal heat of the day, temperatures still exceeded 30C throughout and humidity never dropped below 80 per cent to sap the energy out of the competitors.

A makeshift hospital was set up next to the finish line and athletes were regularly brought in on stretchers from wherever they had collapsed along the course.

Only 40 of the 68 runners who started the race managed to cross the finish line - every one of them drenched head to toe in a mixture of sweat and water.

Amid the havoc, Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich emerged triumphant, claiming the world title in 2 hours, 32 minutes and 43 seconds - the slowest ever World Championships winning time and more than 15 minutes slower than her personal best. Chepngetich herself then collapsed some time after the race while talking to the media.