气候变化正迫使美国各地马拉松赛事组织者采取行动，以保护参赛跑者的安全。[1]双城马拉松宣布从2027年起将比赛时间从传统的10月第一个周日改为10月下旬举办。[1]这一改变背后的驱动力不容忽视：2023年该赛事因创纪录的高温和湿度被迫取消，而2025年的比赛起始温度已接近70华氏度。[1]
除双城外，美国多个城市的马拉松赛事也在调整应对策略。[1]长滩马拉松在3月为跑者提供了选项，允许他们在18英里处停止比赛并仍获得完赛奖章，不足5%的参赛者选择了缩短距离。[1]苏瀑城、小岩城、代顿等地的马拉松也已调整了比赛日期或开始时间。[1]
气候研究表明形势愈发严峻。[1]气候中心对221场比赛的分析发现，到2045年，美国51场马拉松中的46场将难以达到对业余跑者最优的低40华氏度条件。[1]全球气候变暖的加剧更是推高了这些风险，地球在2024年创造了温度纪录，美国本土刚经历有记录以来最温暖的7月。[1]世界气象组织预报，在2025年至2030年间，全球平均气温将相比1800年代上升超过1.5摄氏度。[1]
Rising global temperatures are compelling marathon organizers across the United States to make significant adjustments to protect runner safety. The Twin Cities Marathon will shift its traditional early October race date to late October beginning in 2027[1]. The change comes after the 2023 Twin Cities Marathon was canceled due to record-breaking heat and humidity, and the 2025 race began with temperatures near 70 degrees Fahrenheit[1].
Other marathons are implementing varied adaptations to combat heat stress. The Long Beach Marathon, held in March, now offers participants the option to stop at the 18-mile mark and still receive a finisher's medal, though fewer than 5 percent of competitors have chosen this shorter distance[1]. These proactive measures reflect growing concern about athlete welfare as climate patterns shift.
Climate research underscores the urgency of such changes. A study by the Climate Center examining 221 races found that by 2045, 46 of the 51 major American marathons will struggle to maintain conditions below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, which researchers identify as optimal for amateur runners[1]. Global temperatures reached record levels in 2024, with the continental United States experiencing its warmest July on record[1]. The World Meteorological Organization projects that between 2025 and 2030, global average temperatures will rise more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above 19th-century levels[1].