The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon in Minnesota, which was scheduled to take place on Sunday, was abruptly canceled just hours before it was supposed to begin due to concerns about record-breaking heat. This marked only the second time in the race's 40-year history that it had been called off. Twin Cities In Motion, the organization responsible for organizing the marathon, sent out emails to the 20,000 registered runners at around 5:20 a.m. on the morning of the race, notifying them that the forecast had reached “Black Flag” conditions that did not allow for a safe event for participants, supporters, or volunteers.

The decision to cancel the marathon was made due to the forecasted temperatures reaching the mid to upper 80s, along with unusually high humidity for this time of year. The 10-mile race was scheduled to begin at 7 a.m., followed by the marathon at 8 a.m. The safety of the participants and the community was the primary concern for Twin Cities In Motion and its partners. In a statement, the organization expressed their disappointment but emphasized the importance of prioritizing safety.

This was only the second time in the marathon's history that it had been canceled. The first instance occurred in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2007, the event took place despite record high temperatures of 82 degrees. Many runners were caught off guard by the cancellation, some learning about it while they were on their way to the race or upon arrival. Kyla Kristil, a Minnetonka native now living in Miami, expressed her disappointment, especially after months of training. She mentioned that she and her friend Shoshi Leviton decided to run at least part of the original marathon route regardless. Other runners also made the most of the situation, choosing to run before it became too hot.

One such runner was Matt Anderson of Hopkins, who organized a 10-mile run with his running group and some neighbors. He expressed his disappointment with the decision and stated that he understood the importance of safety but still wanted to continue running. The decision to cancel the marathon came as the forecast for the Twin Cities neared record-breaking heat. The previous record for October 1st was 87 degrees in 1897, while normal temperatures for this time of year are in the mid-60s. Minnesota has experienced the effects of climate change, with fall being the second fastest-warming season in the state.

Charlie Mahler, a spokesperson for Twin Cities in Motion, acknowledged the disappointment felt by runners but emphasized that the decision to cancel was the right one. Mahler mentioned that some runners were going through stages of grief, as they had been looking forward to achieving their goals and experiencing the excitement of running a marathon. Despite the cancellation, many Minnesotans still showed their support for the runners by cheering them on along the route and setting up their own water stations to help combat the heat.

Ali Binder, who had planned to run a full marathon but ended up running a half marathon instead, expressed her gratitude for the support she received along the way. She acknowledged the challenging conditions and mentioned that she understood the reasons behind the cancellation. Despite initially being disappointed, Binder ultimately agreed that Twin Cities In Motion made the right call.

For those affected by the cancellation, Twin Cities In Motion assured runners that an update regarding a credit for the canceled event would be provided by Thursday at the end of the day. The organization's decision to prioritize the safety of participants and the community ultimately led to the cancellation of the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, leaving many runners disappointed but understanding of the circumstances.