Zurich school sports event canceled due to heat

The Töss-Stafette, one of the largest school sports events in the canton of Zurich, has been canceled due to the current heatwave. The 43rd edition of the traditional 16-kilometer relay race, scheduled for Tuesday, was expected to draw over 2500 middle and high school students from across the canton.

The organizing committee, in a statement released by the city of Winterthur on Friday, announced the cancellation. The decision was prompted by the extreme heat and a Level 3 heat warning issued by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH). The FOPH recommends avoiding strenuous outdoor physical activities during such conditions.

Despite reviewing various precautionary measures, the committee determined that the health and safety of the students and other participants could not be sufficiently guaranteed. The organizing committee expressed its "extraordinary regret" over the decision.

The next Töss-Stafette is planned for June 15, 2027. In light of increasing heatwaves, the organizing committee will explore potential measures for future events, including possible adjustments to the timing of the race to mitigate risks associated with high temperatures.