Extreme heat at the Göttingen Old Town Run: Participants’ lives are in danger!

Extreme heat at the Göttingen Old Town Run: Participants’ lives are in danger!

On Wednesday evening, July 5, 2025, around 3,500 participants in the Göttingen Old Town Run said: “Ready, set, go!” – but not without challenges. The high summer temperatures of over 30 degrees Celsius made for a heated race in which the athletes' health was also at stake. According to that Göttingen Tageblatt The official heat warning from the German Weather Service could not be overlooked that day.

A passionate word first: The decision of the Göttingen athletics community not to cancel this event was perceived as risky by both participants and spectators. In the end, three runners had to go to the clinic and another 21 people received medical help, including some spectators. “Exhaustion” was a term that came up frequently; A number of participants lay exhausted on the side of the route, crying or having difficulty breathing.

The dangers of rising temperatures

Despite all the efforts of the organizers, who were equipped with water hoses, sprinkler systems and drink stations, the supply was felt to be inadequate. In particular, the health risks caused by high temperatures should not be underestimated. Experts warn that the risk of health problems increases at temperatures as low as 25 degrees Celsius, especially in groups with poor health Federal Environment Agency emphasized.

This problem is not only perceived locally. In Germany, heat is no longer an unrecognized phenomenon. Since the 1980s, the country has recorded a significant increase in hot days and tropical nights, which is clear in the monitoring report on the German climate change adaptation strategy. By 2050, the number of heat waves could increase fourfold. Last summer was particularly dramatic with around 9,100 heat deaths and even exceeded the combined deaths from traffic accidents and drug use ZDF today reported.

Preparation and prevention are important

It is therefore high time that not only the organizers of sporting events, but also municipalities and citizens do more to protect themselves from heat. The Climate Adaptation Act, in force since July 1, 2024, as well as various heat protection plans show possible solutions to counteract the problem of extreme temperatures. Cities like Mannheim and Dortmund have already launched concerted campaigns that also target structural measures such as greening facades.

But what can we do as a society? An important step is education. Providing mayors with a “heat protection information package” and promoting heat etiquette are initial approaches. In addition, it is essential for vulnerable groups, such as older people or people with chronic illnesses, to be informed about the dangers of heat. Drinking regularly, cooling down and avoiding physical exertion during the hottest part of the day are just a few tips given to citizens.

The hot days in Göttingen clearly demonstrated that we need to be prepared for extreme weather conditions. The Göttingen Old Town Run was a wake-up call. It's time to take action and take effective measures to protect everyone's health - both in sport and in everyday life.