Warm, Sunny for Marathon Monday: Woburn's Weekend Weather

WOBURN, MA — From Friday through the weekend, temperatures will rise, and the skies will stay sunny, hitting the mid 50s throughout the weekend.

Monday's weather for the Boston Marathon is expected to be picture perfect for the thousands in attendance. But for those running the 26.2, it might just be a little much.

Weather.com says to expect mostly sunny weather with temperatures hovering around 70 degrees.

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In a vacuum, that looks to be one of the most comfortable days of the year, a favorable hand dealt by famously unpredictable New England weather in April.

"That is great for spectators, not good for runners," said Chris Blasko, up from Minnesota to run in his fourth straight Boston Marathon. "You hit the wall faster. You're sweating faster, your body works harder to maintain that speed."

Blasko, who spent the past several months training in winter weather in Minnesota, says not to expect top times. He thinks for the elite runners, who might normally finish under two hours and five minutes in ideal weather, finishing in under two hours and 10 minutes "would be kind of a big deal."

"For everyday runners like me that could be as much a as a 10-minute difference."

Historically, the average weather for April 18 has a high of 57 degrees and a low of 42. Anywhere in that range is what runners aim for.

Here's the forecast for Woburn, according to the National Weather Service:

• Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy, with a northeast wind 13 to 20 mph.
• Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 33. East wind 5 to 7 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.
• Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 63. Light and variable wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
• Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.
• Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.

"Ideal weather for most runners is like 50 degrees because your core body temperature rises and it's tough to compensate."

It isn't a sheer matter of will when it comes to maintaining your pace in the heat. Some of the problem is how one's brain reacts.

According to the Runners’ Academy, your brain will make changes to your running as a defense mechanism from heat stroke, meaning that a runner’s body is actively adjusting its pace when there is a threat of overheating.

Warmer weather also means increased concern for emergency medical services.

“Mother Nature is what, frankly, year after year, hits us hardest," said Kurt Schwartz, director of Massachusetts Emergency Management Association, which coordinates public safety efforts for the Marathon. "The good news is, right now, the forecast looks great.”

There are always hundreds of runners who need medical attention. On hot years, like 2012 (high 80s) that number soars into the thousands.

“On the best of days, there’s always a huge medical component," said Schwartz.

Wind is another variable, but one that shouldn't factor too much into Monday's race. The forecast calls for a very light breeze, and whatever gusts the runners get should be on their back as they travel northeast from Hopkinton to Boylston St.

Alison Bauter, Mike Caraggi and Joe Lipovich, Patch Staff, contributed to this report.

Get Woburn's extended forecast.

Photo via Shutterstock