Minnesota’s Twin Cities Marathon canceled because of extreme heat

Organizers of the annual Twin Cities Marathon announced the cancellation of the race due to extreme heat conditions in the Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn. areas. 

“Today’s 10 mile and marathon races are cancelled due to EAS Black Flag weather conditions – Extreme and Dangerous Conditions,” organizers said in a statement Sunday. “The latest weather forecast update projects record-setting heat conditions that do not allow a safe event for runners, supporters and volunteers.”

Organizers told CNN that the race, which was expected to bring 300,000 spectators, was slated to begin at 7 a.m. local time.

“It saddens Twin Cities In Motion and our partners to be unable to hold the races that runners have been pointing toward for months, but the safety of participants and the community will always be our primary concern,” organizers added. 

“Extreme heat conditions can tax both runners and our emergency medical response systems. We ask the entire running community to come together for the safety of everyone involved.”

During an appearance on CNN’s This Morning, the race’s communication’s manager Charlie Mahler told anchors Omar Jimenez and Amara Walker that they have been monitoring the situation for days. He added that he understands the range of emotion participants had when the decision was announced. 

“We’re sad we have to make this decision, but we knew it was the right one,” Mahler said. 

This comes as the current temperature forecasted in the Twin Cities is 91 degrees, becoming the hottest October temperature on record, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). 

The previous temperature record holder in the Twin Cities was 90 degrees, set on separate dates in 1928 and 1997.