Climate stripes remind Marathon runners of race against time

Tens of thousands of people running and watching the London Marathon saw participants jog past the University of Reading’s climate stripes on Sunday, 21 April.  

The world-famous stripes were on display along the side of the route and on two large banners near the end of the race route. One section of the road was marked with a stark climate message warning runners that ‘London is warming.’  

The blue and red stripes on display represented the average temperature for a single year in London, relative to the average temperature of the capital, from 1850-2022. Shades of blue indicate cooler-than-average years, while red shows years that were hotter than average.  

Professor Ed Hawkins, the University of Reading climate scientist who created the stripes, said: "The incredible dedication of the London Marathon runners and their commitment to making a difference was truly inspiring to see. However, just as the Marathon runners pushed themselves to their limits, we must also push ourselves to take bold and immediate action against climate change. 

"The climate stripes displayed at the end of the Marathon served as a stark reminder that our planet is warming at an alarming rate. London, like many cities around the world, is experiencing the consequences of rising temperatures. We are in a race against time to prevent further warming and protect ourselves and future generations from the devastating impacts of climate change. 

“It is crucial that we work together, with the same determination and unity displayed by the runners, to address this global crisis before it's too late. The race to combat climate change is the most critical one we will ever face.”

View and download free climate stripes images.