After finishing a run in 97F weather, a person exhibits weak, rapid pulse and hot, dry skin. What condition are they likely experiencing?

The symptoms described—weak, rapid pulse and hot, dry skin—are characteristic of heat stroke, a serious heat-related illness that occurs when the body's temperature regulation fails. In extreme heat conditions, the body can lose its ability to cool itself through sweating, leading to a dangerously high body temperature.

Heat stroke typically presents with a high core body temperature (often above 104F), confusion, altered mental state, and a rapid heart rate as the body attempts to cope with the high temperature. The absence of sweating is a key indicator, as individuals experiencing heat exhaustion would still maintain some level of perspiration. In contrast, heat stroke indicates a failure of the body's cooling mechanisms, making it a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.

Other conditions such as heat exhaustion might manifest with heavy sweating and a weaker pulse but generally involve milder symptoms, making them less severe than heat stroke. Hypothermia is unrelated in this context, as it occurs from exposure to cold, and sunburn, while painful, does not present with the systemic symptoms seen here. Therefore, the presented symptoms align most closely with heat stroke, confirming it as the correct condition experienced by the individual.