Higher pollution levels linked to slower marathon times across six World Marathon Majors

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Add as preferred source Race-day air pollution concentrations across six World Marathon Majors, 2010–2024. Credit: Sports Medicine—Open (2026). DOI: 10.1186/s40798-026-01099-6 A study of more than 2.7 million marathon performances found that higher levels of air pollution on race day were associated with significantly slower finishing times, with recreational runners affected more than elite athletes.

Researchers at the University of Leicester analyzed 2,756,553 net finishing times from six World Marathon Majors (Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York City and Tokyo) held between 2010 and 2024. The study is published in the journal Sports Medicine—Open .