2012 Marine Corps Marathon weather forecast

Sunday, October 28 – 7:40am (Wheel chair and hand cycle) 7:55am (Runners)

Washington, D.C.

Mostly Cloudy, Stray Showers (30%), Gusty

High: 60      Low: 54

6AM 8AM 10AM NOON 2PM
54 56 57 58 60

Saturday Morning Update – Confidence Level: 95%

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Winds will be the main problem as they blow out of the north-northeast sustained at 10-20 mph with gusts to 30 mph at times. Temperatures will be mild in the low to mid 50s for the start, then reaching around the 60 degree mark by the early afternoon. Shower activity is expected to be isolated at best so it appears the majority of the race at this point is looking dry which is great. I’m headed to the expo now to pick up my packet, I’ll be sure to do another update this evening!

If you are coming in from out of town, you will want to leave D.C. Sunday evening if at all possible unless you have another place to stay or for some reason want to experience this storm (like me of course!). Some of the models show a storm of such intensity that the region hasn’t seen since potentially Hurricane Isabel or Irene, or potentially even worse. My weather department at ABC 7 in D.C. is expecting the chance for flooding, heavy rain, wind damage, and also power outages come Monday into Tuesday. Widespread travel delays will be common across the east coast so if there’s one thing you don’t want to do after a marathon, it’s sit around an airport for 24 to 48 hours! Just try if you can to have some kind of a back-up plan!

Recommendations:

It’s in the 50s, so I always wear shorts and a t-shirt in those temperatures. I really do think you may be too warm if you try to wear anything more. Some of you may be able to get away with long sleeve shirts to start but be sure to wear a layer as I think after you get warmed up you’ll want to shed it. Be sure to remember your body glide and bring something for the start of the race in case there are showers early on.