The warming climate is forcing marathons to consider changes to keep runners cool

Paul Grinvalds, a seasoned marathoner with 114 finishes across the United States, acknowledges the challenge of racing in high temperatures. As climate change intensifies, driven largely by the combustion of fossil fuels, marathon organizers are facing mounting pressure to adapt. To mitigate the risks of heat, races in cities like Minneapolis, Sioux Falls, Dayton, Little Rock, and Los Angeles are adjusting their schedules.

In 2027, Minneapolis will begin its 40-year-long Twin Cities Marathon later in October, while Sioux Falls moved its event from August to September last year due to cancellations. Other marathons, including those in Dayton, Arkansas, and Long Beach, California, have altered start times to earlier in the day. In Los Angeles, runners were given the option to finish after 18 miles and still receive a medal, a move that garnered some criticism online, despite the limited participation and minimal medical intervention.