Fort Myers Naples, FL, August 13, 2026 —

Marathon organizers across the United States are implementing significant changes to their events in response to the escalating impacts of a warming climate. Rising global temperatures are transforming traditionally cooler race days into periods of uncomfortable and potentially dangerous heat for thousands of runners.

Several prominent marathons are adjusting their schedules to mitigate the risks associated with extreme heat. The Twin Cities Marathon and the Sioux Falls Marathon are examples of events that have opted to reschedule their races to cooler months of the year. This shift aims to provide a safer and more favorable running environment for participants.

In other instances, race directors are opting for earlier start times. The Air Force Marathon and the Long Beach Marathon are among the events that have moved their start times to earlier in the morning. This strategy is designed to have runners complete a larger portion of the race before the day’s peak temperatures set in.

Some marathons are also introducing flexibility in race distances. The Los Angeles Marathon, for example, has provided participants with options to shorten their race distance. This measure allows runners to adjust their participation based on prevailing weather conditions and their personal tolerance for heat.

These adaptive measures are a direct consequence of the observed trend of increasing global temperatures. The changing climate presents a growing challenge for endurance events, particularly those held during seasons that were historically considered ideal for athletic performance. Organizers are increasingly focused on participant safety, leading to these widespread operational adjustments.



Story summarized from the original created by AP on apnews.com, see more information here.

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