07/16/2026
🚨 Air Quality Alert: When It's Better to Skip Your Outdoor Workout
Wildfire smoke has pushed today's air quality to unhealthy levels across much of Southern Ontario. If you're planning to run, walk, cycle, or spend an extended time outdoors, today is a good day to rethink those plans.
Many people assume they'll notice if the air is affecting them, but that's not always the case. Fine particles from wildfire smoke can reach deep into your lungs and even enter your bloodstream. During exercise, you breathe faster and deeper, which means you're taking in significantly more of those harmful particles.
Even healthy, active people can experience:
Shortness of breath
Persistent coughing
Chest tightness
Reduced athletic performance
Irritated eyes and throat
Children, older adults, people with asthma or heart disease, and anyone exercising vigorously outdoors are at even greater risk.
What should you do today?
If the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is in the High Risk (10+) range:
❌ Skip outdoor runs and intense workouts.
✅ Move your workout indoors if possible.
✅ Keep outdoor activities short and easy.
✅ Watch for symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, chest discomfort, or unusual fatigue.
Missing one workout won't affect your fitness. Protecting your lungs today will help ensure you're healthy enough to enjoy many more runs in the future.
Learn More
We recently published a detailed article explaining how wildfire smoke affects your body during exercise, why runners are especially vulnerable, and practical steps you can take to stay safe.
👉 https://www.getsunup.app/blog/wildfire-smoke-health-effects
At the Bronte Harbour Classic, we're committed to promoting safe and healthy running. On days like today, the smartest training decision is knowing when not to run outside.
Stay safe, and we'll see you back on the course when the air clears. 🏃♀️🏃♂️💙
