The effects of air temperature on marathon finishing time in elite and average runners

Marathon running is highly dependent upon environmental conditions, especially air temperature. More research is warranted to determine how climate change and heat waves might be impacting the temperature and performance in marathon events worldwide. The purpose of this analysis was to determine if temperatures are rising in marathons across the world, and how often the races take place in optimal temperatures (10-12 °C). Secondly, we aimed to determine if there was a correlation between air temperature and marathon finishing time finishing time in the Top 10 men, Top 10 women, and median overall finisher. Data were analysed across six marathons since their inception: Boston, Lincoln (NE), Grandma's (Duluth, MN), Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. The results showed in almost all races, higher temperatures were correlated with increased finishing time in the median runner and Top 10 Men runners. Temperature had no correlation with marathon finishing time in 5 of 6 marathons in the Top 10 Women. Additionally, it was found that only Berlin is significantly increasing in temperature since its inception.