London Marathon would consider future date change due to weather
London Marathon Events CEO Hugh Brasher admits challenges with the weather could force an earlier spot in the calendar to improve the experience for runners, while also encouraging faster racing
The London Marathon could move to an earlier slot in the calendar to contend with increasing temperatures during the British spring, the event’s CEO Hugh Brasher has confirmed. The 2025 race saw runners contend with temperatures in the region of 22c (72f), making it one of the warmest in its history, while the 2018 edition still holds the record at 24. 2c (76f).
This year’s race, on Sunday, 26 April, has a more favourable forecast for those attempting to achieve personal bests though, with temperatures ranging from 11-17c throughout the duration of the race. After this year’s Paris Marathon controversially opted to ban single-use water cups and bottles for runners, instead opting for a refill system at various points on the course, Brasher admits London Marathon observed with interest and revealed the climate is a consideration regarding a future date change. “I think that you have to look at what each city is doing, look at who your constituents are.
I think you have to really look at health and safety and the temperatures and how you cool yourself down,” Brasher said on a media call, including The Independent. “So there are a lot of different things. So did we look at it [Paris Marathon’s policy on plastic bottles] with interest?
Yes, is it part of the conversations that we have? Yes. Are we looking at this, and have we been looking at it for many years, and will continue to do so with proper data.