5 Pro Heat Tactics from Tokyo Elites you can Copy

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By: Jessica Morrison

Steamy dawn and 80% humidity on Sept. 14 turned early road starts into a wall of glare and sweat. You’ll get a clear, step-by-step plan—cooling, pacing, and breathing—to race safer and faster in hot, sticky conditions.

The road events were shifted 30 minutes earlier and organizers added extensive cooling measures, including dense hydration points and shaded recovery zones. That buys time against rising temperatures, but athletes still face high dew points that slow cooling and spike heart rate.

Earlier road starts and cooling tents—what improves safety now

Moving the gun time into cooler morning windows reduces radiant load and early dehydration, while on-course misting, shade, and frequent fluids curb core-temperature drift. Expect slightly slower opening splits but fewer heat-related drop-offs over the final third.

https://twitter.com/ChrisChavez/status/1965955021327028638

Who actually gains from these shifts and who is left exposed?

Heat-acclimated athletes, efficient drinkers, and even-pacers benefit most; late-acclimators, aggressive starters, and heavy sweaters remain vulnerable.
We will face some heat challenges.” — Sebastian Coe, World Athletics president.

Your race-day cooling plan for hot, soupy mornings

Start “cool and topped-off,” then defend that edge with simple habits:

  • Pre-cool: sip an ice-slush drink in the corral; keep a chilled towel at neck/underarms.

  • Drink to thirst with small, regular sips; add sodium if you’re a salty sweater.

  • Pace by effort early; use a conversational/RPE check to avoid red-lining.

  • Breathe low and slow (diaphragmatic) to steady heart rate and reduce perceived strain.

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Exercise | Benefit | Frequency

Exercise Benefit Frequency
Ice-slush pre-cool (300–500 ml, 0–4 °C) Lowers core temp, delays fatigue 10–20 min before start; small sips mid-race
Cooling towel at neck/armpits Reduces thermal strain between efforts 2–3 min before gun; at aid as needed
Diaphragmatic nasal rhythm (e.g., 2-in/2-out) Steadier HR, calmer RPE 2–3 sessions/week; use first half of race

What to expect through September 21 as temperatures swing

Morning windows should remain the least risky; still plan for slower first splits and surge late. Test your drink, sodium, and cooling combo on a short run this week, then lock it in for race day.

SOURCES
https://www.reuters.com/sports/road-events-world-championships-start-30-minutes-earlier-beat-tokyo-heat-2025-09-11/
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/09/13/more-sports/race-walkers-brave-heat/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10108752/

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