The Twin Cities in Motion organization made an official announcement on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, at 6:18 a.m. local time, regarding the cancellation of the running events scheduled for Sunday in Minneapolis. This decision was made due to the severe weather conditions classified as “EAS Black Flag,” with the marathon race originally set to commence at 8 a.m.
According to Accuweather, the anticipated temperature for Minneapolis on that day is 89 degrees, accompanied by an air quality index of 63. If accurate, this would surpass the previous record temperature set in 1897.
In a released statement, the race organizers expressed their deep regret in being unable to proceed with the races that participants have eagerly anticipated for months. However, they emphasized that the safety of both the participants and the community remains their utmost priority.
The organizers have expressed that the intense heat conditions can impose a burden on both the runners and our emergency medical response systems. They have appealed to the entire running community to unite for the safety of all individuals concerned. Furthermore, the organizers have stated that a determination regarding the potential reimbursement for the cancellation will be announced by Thursday.
Runners upset, take to the course anyway
The athletes who were scheduled to partake in the marathon event on Sunday expressed their discontent regarding the cancellation through various social media platforms.
However, certain individuals who participate in running activities conveyed to the Minneapolis Star Tribune their intention to engage in a light jog on Sunday, thereby compensating for a fraction of the originally scheduled event. Conversely, some individuals informed the publication that the organizers made a prudent decision in prioritizing the safety of both participants and volunteers.
