The answer to "How bad can Boston weather be on Marathon Day?" is . . . very, very bad.

Ideal Boston Marathon weather means a temperature of around 45-50 degrees, overcast skies, enough moisture in the air to make breathing comfortable and minimize dehydration - and a southwest breeze to act as a tailwind.

Occasionally Boston Marathon race day weather really does hit this ideal mark.

But not very often.

Top photo:  Boston Marathon competitors, (c) Boston Discovery Guide

Boston Discovery Guide is a reader-supported publication.  When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost for you.  Learn more


What Is the Weather on Boston Marathon Day Usually Like?

April weather in Boston usually includes plenty of cool damp gray days, and average April temperatures hit the ideal comfort range more often than not. 

But...this is a good example of why "average" can be misleading.

For example, let's look at 2012.  Weather forecasters predicted the worst type of weather for a marathon runner:  sizzling hot, with temperatures zooming up to 90 degrees and sunny, cloudless skies. 

Unfortunately for the runners, they were right . . . even though the thermometer topped out at only 87°.

How often does Boston weather on Marathon Day soar to almost ninety - or above? 

More frequently than you might expect.

The reverse also happens:  Marathon Day temperatures in the 30s, sometimes accompanied by snow and/or ice.

We get questions periodically about the weather, such as this one from Tim.  We did some research using historic weather data, and we were shocked by what we found.  You may be too.

Question about Boston Marathon

Is there a record of the high temperatures for each Boston Marathon?

I'm planning to run in the Marathon - so I'd like to see what the high temperature was on each day the Boston Marathon has been run.  That way, maybe I'll know what to expect?

Best,

Jim
Seattle


More about the Boston Marathon

Mile-by-mile description of the Marathon route - & best places to see the winners


Boston Marathon Weather History

We dug deep into Boston Marathon weather history to find temperature highs to answer Tim's question, expecting not to find any days hotter than around 70 degrees.  After all, April is still usually a cool month, right?

To our surprise, we discovered that while the 87° high temperature for 2012 may be atypical, it wasn't unusual and it didn't even set a Marathon Day temperature record.

Take a look at these Marathon Day high temperatures for Boston - and prepare yourself for a few surprises:

  • 1905 - 100 degrees
  • 1907 - Occasional snow
  • 1908 - Snowflakes, drizzle
  • 1909 - 97 degrees
  • 1925 - Cold wind, snowflakes
  • 1927 - 84 degrees
  • 1952 - 84 degrees
  • 1961 - 39 degrees; snow squalls
  • 1967 - Snow squalls
  • 1961 - 39 degrees; snow squalls
  • 1967 - Snow squalls
  • 1970 - 38 degrees; driving rain, sleet
  • 1976 - 96 degrees
  • 1982 - 68 degrees
  • 1987 - 87 degrees; 96% humidity
  • 1999 - 68 degrees
  • 2000 - 47 degrees
  • 2001 - 54 degrees
  • 2002 - 56 degrees; heavy mist
  • 2003 - 59 degrees
  • 2004 - 86 degrees
  • 2005 - 66 degrees
  • 2006 - 53 degrees
  • 2007 - 50 degrees; strong wind, torrential rain
  • 2008 - 53 degrees; heavy mist
  • 2009 - 47 degrees
  • 2010 - 49 degrees
  • 2011 - 55 degrees
  • 2012 - 87 degrees
  • 2013 - 54 degrees
  • 2014 - 63 degrees
  • 2015 - 44 degrees; driving rain, wind
  • 2016 - 61 degrees
  • 2017 - 73 degrees
  • 2018 - 43 degrees; drenching rain, strong wind
  • 2019 - 63 degrees; light to heavy showers, thunderstorms
  • 2020 - 60 degrees; very strong wind, thunderstorms; race not held due to Coronovirus pandemic
  • 2021 - 51 degrees on what would have been Marathon Day in April - but due to the Coronovirus pandemic, the race was postponed to October 11, which had a high temperature of 59 degrees and early morning drizzle

No, the 1905 high temperature for Boston is NOT a mistake - it really did soar to 100 degrees, according to the Boston Globe. 

And the temperature reached almost that high (97 degrees) just four years later in 1909 and then again when it hit 96 degrees almost 70 years later in 1976.

Keep in mind that because the Boston Marathon is held on the third Monday of the month, it falls on slightly different dates each year, ranging from April 15 through April 21. 

So the temperatures that you see above are not necessarily the highest temperature ever recorded for that particular date - they're just the highest for that date when it also happened to be Marathon Monday.


How to Train for the Boston Marathon's Unpredictable Weather

Given Boston's unpredictable weather and the wide range of high temperatures on Marathon Day, your best bet is to train for extremes so that you'll be prepared for whatever you encounter. 

In addition to training in hot and cold weather, try also to train in heavy rain, sleet, snow, strong wind, and high humidity.

Don't forget about the Boston Marathon race course's hilly terrain, especially the hills you'll encounter late in the race. 

All of these conditions add up to the reason why the Boston Marathon can be challenging!


Can You Expect Any Weather Accommodations for the Boston Marathon?

Runners in the Women's Elite Division in the almost 90 degree heat during the  Boston Marathon
Runners in the Women's Elite Division in almost 90 degree heat

Maybe.

In recent years, weather accommodations have been made in a few cases: 

  • In 2007, the start time for the Elite Men's race (where the fastest runners compete) moved to 10am from noon. 
  • After a volcano erupted in Iceland in late March and again on April 14, 2010, European flights were disrupted and Marathon entrants who could not reach Boston were allowed to defer their entry until the following year.
  • When extremely hot weather appears likely, as in 2004 and 2012, the usual number of medical tents will be increased.  Typically, about 2-4% of the racers seek non-injury medical attention, but in 2004, with a temperature high of 87°, the total rose to almost 10%, mostly for heat-related reasons. 
  • Due to the 2012 heat predictions, the BAA (the Marathon's sponsor) offered deferrals to the following year to anyone who chose not to run due to the heat.  Runners had to elect the deferment BEFORE the race began . . . no opting for the deferral midway through! 
  • If the 2020 race had not been cancelled due to the Coronovirus pandemic, it is possible (but not 100% certain) that the strong 65+ mph winds and thunderstorms might have necessitated some accommodations.

Where to Stay for the Marathon: Hotels Overlooking the Route

For the best Boston Marathon views from your room, stay in a hotel over looking the Marathon route, such as the luxurious Lexox Hotel on Boylston Street:

Lenox Hotel, overlooking the Boston Marathon route

More top hotels near Boston's North End:

Check out more Boston Marathon hotels 


More Marathon Qs & As



Boston Marathon Hotels

Need a hotel for the Boston Marathon?  Just enter your dates below, and see available rates and hotels on this hotel map from Booking.com:

Booking.com

More about how to save on Boston hotels


Fun Ways to See Boston during Marathon Weekend


More Articles about the Boston Marathon