Weather conditions in April around New England brings plenty of uncertainity to many, including those running in the annual Boston Marathon.
The oldest marathon race in the world — the 129th running — is set to take place on Patriots’ Day, April 21. The 26.2-mile course begins a little after 9 a.m. in Hopkinton and ends at Boylston Street. The first marathon took place in 1897 when the course was just held 24.5 miles. John J. McDermott captured the first men’s title out of 15 participants.
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Throughout its history, runners have endured inclement weather from snow flakes, winds, downpours to extreme heat. So what will the runners encounter this time around?
According to The Weather Channel’s long range forecast for Marathon Monday, temperature will range in the upper 50s under mostly cloudy skies with a slight chance of raindrops.
That fits in with the recent history of the race. During the last four years, the temperature in the annual event ranged between 54 degrees to 69 degrees.
Pete Thibeault and Matt Tobin of Pioneer Turf Surfaces paint the start line for the 128th running of the Boston Marathon, which is celebrating its 100th start from Hopkinton, April 9, 2024.
Warmest Boston Marathon temperature
The warmest day recorded in the Boston Marathon occurred in 1905 when temps hit 100 degrees. There were 10 other marathons that toppled the 80-degree mark, including a 96-degree scorcher in 1976. In 2004 and 2012, record numbers of heat-related illnesses took place at the finish line.
Coldest Boston Marathon day
Snowflakes descended on athletes at least five times in the history of the race — 1907, 1908, 1925, 1961 and 1967. The lowest-recorded temperature at the start of a Boston Marathon was 34 degrees. A cold wind and occasional snow showers were reported in 1925. There were snow squalls in 1961 and in 1967. In 2018, the race began with temperatures at 40 degrees and a wind chill of 29 degrees with rainy conditions. Runners also dealt with heavy rains and cold temps in 1970, 2007 and 2015.
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Boston Marathon weather forecast, plus the warmest and coldest temps
