Well… Good question…
First off 14km isn’t really all that long.
Secondly… this particular one is an out and back course; specifically up and down. So the tougher up hill portions were done earlier before the temps got that high, and the downhill parts are just… well… downhill, so less exertion in the heat.
Third… 32C isn’t so bad, as it routinely gets into the 40’s here once summer arrives, which brings me to the last point… to an extent, one can, through training, become heat adapted.
And I guess there is one other thing. Hydrate well beforehand, and afterwards.
But your point is very well raised. Dehydration and heat related injuries (stroke and exhaustion) are no joke, and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Doing locomotive endurance activities in high heat comes with certain risks, and it’s up to the individual to know what their personal risk-reward ratios are, and to take full responsibility for their actions.
And… if I’m being honest… even though I’ve had many decades of doing stuff in some pretty harsh conditions, there are times I still get pretty close to the line…
As I am fond of saying… ” There’s a fine line between bada$$ and dumba$$”