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NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedAugust 13, 2026Miami-Dade

Marathon organizers adjust race dates and safety protocols to address rising temperatures

Marathon organizers across the U.S. are shifting race dates, moving start times earlier, and offering shorter course options to protect runners from increasing heat and humidity. These changes follow recent race cancellations and medical incidents linked to record-breaking temperatures.

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Why It Matters

Runners face increased health risks from overheating during long-distance events, forcing organizers to permanently alter decades-old traditions to ensure participant safety.

Key Facts

  • The Twin Cities Marathon will move its race date from the first Sunday in October to later in the month starting in 2027.
  • The Sioux Falls, South Dakota, marathon moved its annual race from August to September following a 2024 cancellation.
  • The Air Force Marathon, Little Rock Marathon, and Long Beach Marathon have moved start times to earlier in the morning.
  • Los Angeles marathon organizers allowed runners to stop at 18 miles and still receive a medal due to warm conditions in March.
  • Climate Central research predicts that by 2045, optimal running conditions (low 40s F) will be less likely at 46 of 51 U.S. marathons analyzed.
  • The World Meteorological Organization forecasts global temperatures will likely rise by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius between 2025 and 2030.
  • The optimal temperature for running a marathon is approximately 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius).
  • Only about 25% of energy used during rapid movement goes toward forward motion, while the rest generates body heat.
  • High humidity prevents sweat evaporation, making it significantly harder for the body to regulate temperature during exertion.

Who's Mentioned

personMeg Treat“Spokesperson for the Los Angeles marathon.”personPaul Grinvalds“Marathon runner from West Des Moines, Iowa.”personJessica Murfree“University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill researcher studying climate change and ”personChris Minson“University of Oregon professor researching heat adaptation.”personAndy Pershing“Lead researcher at Climate Central.”organizationTwin Cities Marathon“Minneapolis-St. Paul race moving its date to later in October starting in 2027.”organizationClimate Central“Climate research group that analyzed 221 U.S. marathons.”personDouglas Casa“Kinesiology professor and leader of the Korey Stringer Institute.”personEd Whetham“Race director for the Twin Cities Marathon.”