{"id":109769,"date":"2026-04-17T07:55:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T10:55:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/one-boston-marathon-was-a-great-weather-year-for-runners\/"},"modified":"2026-04-17T07:55:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T10:55:12","slug":"one-boston-marathon-was-a-great-weather-year-for-runners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/one-boston-marathon-was-a-great-weather-year-for-runners\/","title":{"rendered":"One Boston Marathon was a great weather year for runners"},"content":{"rendered":"


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This year\u2019s Boston Marathon is shaping up to be a memorable one, not because of the elite runners or the amateurs, but because the weather may be a huge positive factor<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

The sweet spot for runners would be temperatures in the 40s in the morning in Hopkinton and low to mid-50s at the finish line on Boylston Street, Boston. Ideally, you would have a brisk southwesterly wind pushing runners along. And we will likely come close<\/a> to those conditions by Monday morning. <\/span><\/p>\n

Has Boston ever seen a marathon with optimum weather for long-distance running?<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Perhaps one of the most ideal Boston Marathons was in 2011 when a strong southwesterly wind propelled runners along the 26.2-mile course, literally with the wind at their backs. It\u2019s no surprise that the elite men\u2019s record was broken that year and still stands today, 15 years later, as we head into the 130th running of the marathon. Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya<\/a> won the marathon in a record 2 hours, 3 minutes, 2 seconds. <\/span><\/p>\n

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2011 Boston Marathon men’s winner Geoffrey Mutai breaks the tape at the finish line.<\/span>John Tlumacki\/Globe Staff<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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Race-day weather for the 2011 Boston Marathon.<\/span>Dave Epstein<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

This year we have had unusual heat this week<\/a> before the marathon. In 2011, temperatures were more typical for the season. <\/span><\/p>\n

Also this year, a frontal system is forecast to pass through the area<\/a> Sunday night, putting an end to the unusual warmth and ushering in much cooler air as it descends south over Eastern Massachusetts from Canada. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Boston Marathon runners have the finish line in sight as they make the final yards on Boylston Street in 2011.<\/span>John Tlumacki\/Globe Staff<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The surface map from 2011 and the predicted map for this year\u2019s Marathon, while not identical, both show high pressure in control. The biggest difference is that this year, race day will have more of an early northwest wind, so while it will not be a headwind, it will not be as strong a tailwind as 15 years ago \u2014 which ranged from 16 mph to 20 mph. This year, wind speeds are forecast to nudge above 15 mph. <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

2011 Marathon Day:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

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A forecast surface map for the 2011 Boston Marathon showing an area of high pressure near New England.<\/span>NWS\/Dave Epstein<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The 2026 Marathon Day forecast map:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

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The surface map for the 2026 Boston Marathon on Monday.<\/span>NWS<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Of course, we won\u2019t know for several more days exactly how strong the winds are going to be and exactly what direction they will be coming from, but I do feel pretty confident that temperatures will be in that nearly ideal range. <\/span><\/p>\n

Will new records be set? Time will tell.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Women elite runners, from left, Dire Tune, of Ethiopia, Caroline Kilel, of Kenya, Alice Timbilili, of Kenya, and Sharon Cherop, of Kenya, compete in the 2011 Boston Marathon on the course in Newton.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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Marathon years that saw some notable weather on race day.<\/span>Boston Globe<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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We will be closely monitoring the weather conditions up until Marathon day on Monday, April 20. Keep up-to-date with the latest Globe forecast by signing up for our free <\/i>daily Globe Weather Forecast<\/i><\/a> that will arrive straight into your inbox bright and early each morning. for our <\/i>daily Globe Weather Forecast<\/i><\/a> that will arrive straight into your inbox bright and early each weekday morning.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n