Falmouth Road Race Could Have Earlier Start Time In 2026

FALMOUTH, MA — Pending town approval, the ASICS Falmouth Road Race has announced its intention to shift the race’s start time to 8 a.m. beginning in 2026.

Historically, the race has begun at 9 a.m. The proposed new start time of 8 a.m. is intended to prioritize the safety and well-being of runners and volunteers, and to have less impact on the community on race day, officials said.

The Town of Falmouth is set to review and vote on the proposed change in mid-October.

“Our top priority has always been the safety of everyone involved in the race,” said Scott Ghelfi, president of Falmouth Road Race, Inc. “After reviewing the data and hearing directly from our medical director about the benefits of an earlier start, it was clear that this adjustment would make a real difference. Their guidance, supported by our public safety partners, reinforces that this is the right move for our runners and volunteers and we are hopeful that the Town will support the decision as well.”

A cohort of the road race’s medical team, operations team and public safety partners decided to suggest the new start time.

The proposed change has gained support from Falmouth Police Chief Jeff Lourie and Falmouth Fire Chief Timothy R. Smith. Both expressed that the predicted positive outcomes will benefit their teams and the community, ensuring a safer experience for the entire community during the event. Both internal and external teams will be meeting throughout the fall to discuss the impacts of the one-hour shift to ensure a successful transition.

“Shifting the race to an earlier start is a proactive and responsible step that prioritizes safety,” said Lieutenant Ryan Hergt with the Falmouth Police Department. “Our officers are often among the first to respond to medical emergencies along the route each year, and we’ve witnessed firsthand the toll heat can take on runners. This move will reduce the strain on officers, whose primary focus is on event security and traffic management.”

“As a result of the data that shows how the weather can affect race participants who are subjected to issues related to heat and humidity, we are supportive of this change to see the race begin earlier on this day,” said Smith. “Heat-related issues are a significant concern not just for the race organizers but also for EMS responders from the Falmouth Fire Rescue Department. If we can minimize the impacts for those who are affected by the August weather on the Cape, then we look forward to adjusting our planning for another successful race in 2026.”

The change reflects emerging new practices and standards in road racing, which take into account the effects of climate change on the participant experience, officials said.

One of those practices includes the use of wet bulb globe thermometry (WBGT) to assess local environmental conditions. Originally developed by the United States military, it combines air temperature, humidity, radiant heat from the sun and wind speed to determine the heat stress on a human body in that environment.

“Global temperatures are increasing every year. Over the past several years, we have collected measurements from various locations along the course starting in the pre-race hours. We have observed that WBGT temperatures are significantly less in the earlier morning hours,” said Dr. John Jardine, medical director for the ASICS Falmouth Road Race. “This would suggest that there is less heat stress on those active in that environment at that time. These conditions will be safer for our runners, as well as our volunteers, staff, and spectators. We believe that an earlier start time for the race, even by one hour, would be significantly safer for all involved.”

Next year’s ASICS Falmouth Road Race is set for Aug. 16.