Your comprehensive race day forecasting
I can't remember a Chicago marathon that was under 60 degrees, and this one will be no exception. Right now the forecast models are showing mid 60s for most of the race, high humidity and scattered showers and thunderstorms. If you haven't started acclimating, now is the time. And by acclimating, I mean making yourself sweat. Run with extra clothes, a jacket, tights, hang out in warm clothes all day, spend time in a sauna - anything to initiate the sweat response (but please drink adequate fluids). Here's why. 60 degrees in Chicago, with full sun and humidity could feel like it is in the 70s, even with an occasional northeast wind . There's a cold front near Chicago right now, but it's stalling for the weekend.
So here is my race day forecast for runners between 2:30 and 4 hours. With the exception of the wind, if you're running between 4 and 7 hours, expect it to max out at around 65 degrees with NE winds at 10 MPH max, everything else below should be accurate. Miles 0-7.5 - Mostly cloudy with scattered showers, some potential rain on the course. Winds will be from the northeast off the lake, but it will still be humid and mild. I'd wear as little as possible, and maybe a hat if you have glasses. 61 degrees. Miles 7.5 - 12.75 - You'll have either no wind here (from the buildings) or a slight tailwind. Mostly shady here, but still humid. 63 degrees. Still some showers at this point, but not anything major. Miles 12.75 - 15 - The course heads west here, and it's more open, so you may feel a bit of a tailwind. Don't blow it though. 65 degrees here. Miles 15-23 - A few twists and turns here. You'll have a slight tail from 15 to 19, and a slight headwind from 19 to 21. To 23 you should have a bit of a tailwind and a cross. It's wide open out here and close to the highway. 65, but will feel like 75 degrees with the road and humidity. Miles 23-26.2 - This is mostly a straight shot north, with little cover from the wind, so find someone to work with and block it out if you can. 65, but will feel like 70 with some help from Lake Michigan. I'll post another forecast on Saturday night if this should change - otherwise, this is your final sendoff. Good luck runners!
1 Comment
3/16/2023 12:35:24 am
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Chris Rozoff and Jesse Sweeney, content contributors.Chris is the expert meteorologist and MVP. Jesse is someone who watched the weather channel a lot as a child and breaks it down for the masses. Chris runs ultras. Jesse runs road and ultras. Archives
April 2019
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