Women's marathon to start one hour earlier due to Sapporo heat

The Olympic women's marathon will start at 6am local time on Saturday, an hour earlier than scheduled due to the forecast stamina-sapping heat and humidity in Sapporo.

* Get DStv or Showmax for unrivalled access to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics *

The change is "to allow for slightly cooler weather for runners", a statement from organisers explained.

At the new start time it is forecast to be 25 degrees Celsius, rising to 28 degrees by 8am, then 30 degrees an hour later, with 90 per cent humidity.

The men's marathon on Sunday remains at its 7am scheduled start time.

Organisers moved the marathons from the capital to avoid Tokyo's punishing summer heat.