Women’s marathon to start one hour earlier due to Sapporo heat

The Olympic women’s marathon will start at 06:00 am local time on Saturday(2100 GMT Friday), an hour earlier than scheduled due to the forecast stamina-sapping heat and humidity in Sapporo.

The change is “to allow for slightly cooler weather for runners”, a statement from organisers explained.

At the new start time it is forecast to be 25 degrees Celsius, rising to 28 degrees by 08:00 am, then 30 degrees an hour later, with 90 per cent humidity.

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The men’s marathon on Sunday remains at its 07:00 am scheduled start time.

Organisers moved the marathons from the capital to avoid Tokyo’s punishing summer heat.