Thoughts?
Thoughts?
One should also factor in humidity and such. I hope that most marathon planners would have enough sense to not plan one during the place/time of year that would produce high temps and such. Certainly no elite and very few amateur runners would come run where I live, SC, during the summer months.
90F or cooler depending on humidity
75F? I was thinking more around 90 if its not humid. If they were canceled in temps hotter than 75 there wouldn't be any marathons in the southern states from March to November.
But, it may be hard to set a PR at >75F, IMO.
Varum wrote:
But, it may be hard to set a PR at >75F, IMO.
Yeah sure, but it shouldn't be canceled. If difficulty in setting a PR is the criteria then you might as will put a wind limit on it too, or rain, or snow. The criteria should be concerned with the safety of the runners, not how hard it will be to PR.
*well
Hotter n' Hell Marathon - first Saturday in July in New Orleans. Start and Finish at Audubon Park. Last year I ran the final 9 miles with a friend, that was rediculous!
At what age should we stop living? 60, 50, 40?
Varum wrote:
But, it may be hard to set a PR at >75F, IMO.
How much elevation change can be in a marathon before they cancel it?
I suppose they could put limits on wind, etc., but that's probably a little much. But, really, is it safe to be running 26.2 when it's hotter than 75F? I don't know the answer; but, to me, why even bother putting on the race if people can't PR?
There is a marathon and 50 mile race run on road in North Carolina in late June and it's popular.
If you can run a ultra and marathon in late June in North Carolina, without major problems then why would you need to ever cancel a marathon.
The Ironman Kona regularly has 90 degree conditions for their marathon and that is after the particpants have been out there for 6+ hours before even starting.
As long as the particpants are aware of the conditions and agree to it then there shouldn't be a problem.
Varum wrote:
I suppose they could put limits on wind, etc., but that's probably a little much. But, really, is it safe to be running 26.2 when it's hotter than 75F? I don't know the answer; but, to me, why even bother putting on the race if people can't PR?
Why? Because people have trained for months for it and not everybody can change their plans on a moment's notice to run a different race. For most people in a marathon, this is their scheduled vacation.
Is it safe? Sure. I ran one where it got into the mid 80s. 35,000+ people. No one died. I felt hot, but not as bad as some of the long runs I'd put in during the summer. The only adverse affect was that I threw up a little gatorade because I drank too much.
Varum wrote:
I suppose they could put limits on wind, etc., but that's probably a little much. But, really, is it safe to be running 26.2 when it's hotter than 75F? I don't know the answer; but, to me, why even bother putting on the race if people can't PR?
I'm starting to think your just trolling. But if not I was being sarcastic about putting limits on wind.
I completely disagree with you. But, I do respect your opinion.
It all depends on what time of day it is.
I completely disagree with you. The 2008 Olympic Men's Marathon had temps from 75-86F. You would have canceled it, and we would have all missed Sammy W.'s incredible performance.
I'm starting to think your just trolling.
Bingo!
I should clarify that I'm talking about marathons that "regular citizens" are running...Chicago, RNRs, etc. Not Olympics or Worlds. But, I do agree that it would've been a bummer to miss Sam's race.
Regular citizens are okay. Irregular ones are the the ones who get in the most trouble when the conditions are not optimal for their physical nature (fat, prone to injury, etc.), or their level of training (low miles, short long run).