Heavy rain, wind, unbearable heat or sudden frost can change the plans of any competition in a matter of hours. How should organizers act when the weather takes everything into its own hands? In this article, we will look at cases when events had to be canceled or postponed due to weather conditions, and tell you how teams found a way out of the situation.

Dallas Marathon

The Dallas Marathon in 2013 was supposed to gather thousands of runners and become a celebration of sports, but sudden snowfall and ice literally paralyzed the city. The roads became dangerous, and the track became unsuitable for running. Despite the official cancellation of the competition, there were daredevils who still ran the distance on their own or in small groups, but their results remained unofficial.

What the organizers did. Athletes who registered for the marathon were offered to either take part in another marathon in the coming weeks, or postpone the start for several months.

Copenhagen Half Marathon

The 2017 Copenhagen Half Marathon in Denmark started in a festive atmosphere – more than 20 thousand runners, who had been preparing for the competition for a long time, took to the track under the clear sky. However, two hours later, the weather deteriorated sharply: the city was covered with downpour, hail and even snow.

What the organizers did. To avoid injuries and risks for participants and spectators, the organizers announced an early end of the race. At the same time, they promptly switched to a backup timing system and saved the results of those who managed to finish before bad weather.

Monterey Half Marathon

The 2018 Monterey Bay Half Marathon in the United States was supposed to be one of the most beautiful races of the season – ocean waves and morning fog created an incredible atmosphere. But a few days before the start, the air quality in the region deteriorated sharply. Smoke from large-scale forest fires covered the coast so tightly that it was dangerous to run.

The race had to be canceled, and this was a painful blow for the athletes. Despite this, the participants came to the festival area to support each other. People received medals and gifts, communicated, took pictures, and the prepared food and drinks were handed over to the victims of the fires.

What the organizers did. Participants were offered a choice: to postpone their participation in the marathon in 2019-2021 or to make a donation to local charities. 67% of athletes decided to return to the competition in 2019, 25% gave part of the contribution to support fire victims.

Minneapolis and St. Paul Marathon

In 2023, the marathon in the twin cities of Minnesota was canceled a few hours before the start due to extreme heat – about 32 °C with high humidity. Such conditions increased the risk of overheating and dehydration for participants.

What the organizers did. The event team sent a message to the athletes and explained that the weather conditions had become too dangerous and threatened the health of the athletes. The runners were offered a refund for registration or reserve a place for the 2024 marathon.

Olympic Games in Paris

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games have prepared an unpleasant surprise for triathletes: polluted water in the Seine twice forced the organizers to postpone training. The atmosphere became tense, because the health of the participants and the effectiveness of preparation for the decisive stage were at stake.

What the organizers did. They promptly postponed training and competitions to reserve days. Men’s and women’s starts, as well as the mixed relay, took place when the water quality became safe.

Cape Town Marathon

In 2025, Cape Town was supposed to host one of the most prestigious marathons in the Abbott World Marathon Majors series. The day before, the city was buzzing with preparation: athletes registered, trained, and spectators prepared to support runners. But on the morning of the main day, the marathon was canceled due to strong winds, which damaged the starting and finishing facilities and created a serious danger for more than 24,000 participants.

What the organizers did. To make up for the loss, organizers offered all Cape Town marathon runners  free entry into the 2026 or 2027 marathon.

Ironman Triathlon in Weymouth

In September 2025, the start of the Ironman 70.3 triathlon in Weymouth began with a surprise: strong winds and rain made swimming in the bay dangerous for athletes. The medical team and security services quickly decided to postpone the swimming stage in order to avoid risks.

What the organizers did. It was decided to start the triathlon with a bicycle race, and then to run. The swim took place later, when the weather conditions improved. Thanks to coordination, all participants covered the full distance without health hazards, and the organizers preserved the atmosphere of the competition and team spirit.

World Running Championships in New Delhi

The 50 km World Championships in New Delhi were supposed to be held on December 7, 2025. The athletes were actively preparing for the start, but the local authorities unexpectedly banned the event due to critically poor air quality. The news derailed both athletes and coaches.

What the organizers did. Despite the disappointment of the participants, the organizers emphasized that the health and safety of athletes remains an absolute priority, and every decision was made for this purpose. The championship was postponed to March 14, 2026.

Conclusions and tips for organizers

Unpredictable weather conditions can drastically change the course of any sports competition. How should organizers act?

1. Always plan reserve dates or alternate locations for key stages of the competition.
2. Set up a quick notification system for participants, volunteers, partners, and viewers in advance.
3. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and the current state of the environment.
4. Develop a plan in advance to quickly curtail infrastructure in case of extreme weather.

Follow these principles to keep participants safe. If you need a technical organization of the competition, we will be happy to help. Our equipment can withstand different temperatures, water and shocks and guarantees reliable operation in any weather.