Record-high temperatures and debilitating humidity have prompted World Athletics Championships organizers to move up the start times for the race walk and marathon this weekend by 30 minutes to 7:30 a.m. in a bid to beat the Tokyo heat.

Like many countries, Japan has been hit by extreme weather this year, with temperatures in Tokyo averaging 33 degrees Celsius so far this month, on its way to setting a record high for September.

Last month, more than 3,300 people were taken to the hospital for heatstroke in the city, according to the metropolitan fire department.

¡°Despite the world championships being scheduled for mid-September when temperatures were expected to be lower than during the summer in Tokyo, levels this year have remained at those of midsummer,¡± the local organizing committee said in a statement, citing health and safety risks for its decision.

In 2021, the marathon events at the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics were held in Sapporo, some 800 kilometers north, to escape the Tokyo heat, though temperatures on the days were ultimately similar in the two cities.

As of Thursday, highs of 31 to 34 C are expected in Tokyo over the three-day weekend when the 35-km race walk and marathon events had originally been scheduled to start at 8 a.m.

Humidity is expected to be at 75% on Saturday.

For the marathon, 185 water spots will be set up along the route for athletes to hydrate, more than had been planned for the Tokyo Games.

For heat countermeasures elsewhere during the nine-day championships starting on Saturday, tents made of fabrics with radiative cooling materials will be installed for athletes and visitors around the stadium and warm-up venue, organizers said.

Volunteers and staff will be monitored for heatstroke with watch-style devices that measure core body temperature and trigger an alarm at dangerous levels, while first responders will patrol the stands and be on the lookout for medical emergencies.