2017 Philadelphia Marathon forecast: Strong headwind may pose challenges to runners
Nearly 30,000 runners will trek through the historic streets of Philadelphia this Sunday, Nov. 19, for the annual Philadelphia Marathon.
The two start times are set for 6:55 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. EST.
Those planning on participating or attending the marathon will need to be prepared for a variety of weather conditions, making it imperative to dress in layers.
Wet weather early Sunday morning will make umbrellas, ponchos and rain coats necessities for a time, but conditions are expected to dry out right around race time.
It will be partly sunny and windy for the remainder of the race.
Strong winds will pose the biggest challenge to runners during the marathon, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Steve Travis.
Blustery west-northwest winds of 20-30 mph will occasionally gust past 45 mph.
“This will be a headwind for about half of the race which will make for very challenging conditions,” Travis said.
Runners make their way down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia at the start of the Philadelphia Marathon, Sunday Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/ Joseph Kaczmarek)
The wind will be at the runners' back during the last mile and a half of the race, which could give some runners a boost during this challenging final stretch.
The race will start out mild with a temperature near 52 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures will remain steady in the lower to middle 50s as runners cross the finish line.
“With the wind, the AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures will be in the middle 40s much of the time,” Travis said.
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