Marathon records less likely due to climate change – study

In response to the Climate Central study, Coe said: “The era of ‘business as usual’ for athletics and other summer and winter endurance sports is over.

“High temperatures, sea level rise and unpredictable conditions are no longer exceptions – they are the new normal.

“At World Athletics, we know that athlete well-being is no longer just about training and tactics – it’s about responding to a warming planet.

“We must lead, adapt and innovate if we want our sport to thrive in the future – and that means taking bold action now.”

Mhairi McLennan, the fastest British athlete in the 2024 London Marathon, said: “At the elite level, conditions make or break performance.

“We train day in and day out for years and manage every aspect of our lives to perform at our best, only to have that elusive goal drift away as ideal temperatures become rarer.

“Climate change is not just about making racing more difficult, it is also about knowing that record-breaking performance may soon be out of reach if conditions continue to heat up.”

Tokyo has the highest chance of ideal temperatures for elite male runners (69%), but is also expected to see the greatest decline by 2045, the study said.

The men’s marathon world record of 2 hours and 35 seconds was set by the late Kelvin Kiptum in Chicago in 2023.

Ruth Chepnjitich set the women’s world record in Chicago in 2024, despite being banned last week for three years after admitting to violating anti-doping rules.

The men’s record has been trimmed by 2 minutes and 22 seconds over the past seven years, and the improvement in times is widely attributed to new shoe technology.

“Climate change has changed the course of the marathon,” said former women’s world record holder Catherine Ndereba.

“Drought is a real danger, and simple miscalculations can end the race before it starts. Every step now carries a message – that if we don’t take care of our planet, even our strongest steps will fail.”

“Climate is part of the cycle now,” said Ibrahim Hussein, winner of the New York and Boston Marathons.

“If we don’t protect them, future records and enjoyment for all become less likely.”