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A runner in his early thirties collapsed and died during a half-marathon Friday in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv that went ahead despite extreme heat, emergency services said.

Medics treated 50 runners in all, four of whom were listed in critical condition, the Magen David Adom rescue service said. Most were suffering from heat stroke and dehydration.

Because of the extreme temperatures the municipality postponed the full marathon until next week, but the half marathon through the city's streets went ahead.

An estimated 35,000 runners took part in the event.

The start of the race was pushed forward to the early hours because of the heat, with the first event kicking off at 5.25 am local time (0325 GMT).

But by 8 am, as most runners were approaching the finish line, the mercury had already risen past 30 degrees Celsius.