Climate change is reshaping marathon season in Minnesota

Runners can expect seasonably cool temperatures for the 2026 Twin Cities Marathon. But the early October tradition will be moving back a week starting next year. Race officials have stated health concerns due to heat as a reason for the change.

Between 1961 and 1990, October temperatures never touched 90 degrees in the Twin Cities. But, since 2010, there has been two instances of 90-degree temperatures in October. And now it’s twice as likely to hit temperatures over 80 degrees than 50 years ago.

MPR News meteorologist Sven Sundgaard spoke with distance runner Jeff Denney and Jacob Kastner, the medical co-director of the Twin Cities Marathon, about how a changing climate is impacting long distance runners.

Click play on the audio player above to listen to this episode or subscribe to the Climate Cast podcast.