"Originally scheduled for December 7, 2025, but postponed due to air quality concerns, the event is hosted in New Delhi, India, on Saturday, March 14, 2026. The International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) announced the postponement of the original event just two weeks before it was set to run after the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the Indian capital city, with a population of 30 million people, reached 370 parts per million (ppm), a value that sits in the severe range."
"The 4 a.m. start time is more than 2.5 hours before sunrise and will avoid the daytime high temperatures, which average 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) during this time of year. As of this writing, the current daily AQI is hovering between 150 and 200 ppm, which falls within the unhealthy range."
"Now, just over three months later, sporting events in the area appear to be resuming, as evidenced by the recent New Delhi Marathon on February 21, when 30,000 runners took to the streets of the city in marathon, half-marathon, 10-kilometer, and 5k races, and the International Cricket Council T20 Cricket World Cup taking place from late February through to early March."
The IAU 50k World Championships were rescheduled from December 7, 2025, to March 14, 2026, in New Delhi, India, after air quality reached severe levels with an AQI of 370 ppm. The Indian Supreme Court had requested cancellation of outdoor activities due to hazardous conditions affecting the city's 30 million residents. By late February 2026, sporting events resumed, including the New Delhi Marathon with 30,000 participants and the T20 Cricket World Cup. The March race will start at 4 a.m. to avoid daytime heat averaging 30°C. Current AQI levels range between 150-200 ppm, considered unhealthy but significantly improved from December's readings exceeding 300 ppm. Air quality, temperature, and humidity will likely influence race outcomes and athlete performance.
Read at iRunFar
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