HOUSTON – When thousands of runners and walkers take to the streets of Houston this Sunday they will need to be bundled up! Temperatures at the starting line will be in the upper-30s but it will feel like the lower-30s. Temperatures will warm to the upper-40s through the morning.
For most runners, those are pretty ideal temperatures - not too hot and not too cold. The biggest factor, as any marathoner or even casual runner will tell you, is if you’re fighting a headwind, which makes for a much more difficult run during those 13.1 or 26.2 miles.
This year we will be dealing with pretty strong winds coming from the north behind our cold front. For the entire race you can expect a steady wind from the north around 15mph. This will be a nasty headwind for half marathoners between miles 9-11. This will cause a headwind for full-marathon runners between miles 11 and 12 and also for miles 13-18.
Our marathon is in mid-January so we expect to see chilly temperatures. Last year on marathon day we woke up to temperatures in the lower-30s (33 at IAH) and our high temperature only reached 51. We typically do see very chilly temperatures for the marathon. Aside from 2017, which was one of the more toasty starting temps at a balmy 62 degrees, the average temperature for the start of the marathon during the past decade plus has been between the mid-30s and low 40s. Take a look at our recent marathon starting temperatures.
2024 - 33°
2023 - 43°
2022 - 36°
2020 - 46°
2019 - 33°
2018 - 28°
2017 - 62°
2016 - 36°
2015 - 43°
2014 - 40°
2013 - 42°
2012 - 34°
One of the most grueling endurance tests for Houston Marathon runners came during the 1997 race. That morning, runners and walkers faced not only bitter cold as temperatures never rose above freezing, but sleet and wind coming in sideways at times. The conditions were so miserable, the race became a test of survival versus speed.
We know you’ll be capturing epic moments during the Houston Marathon that are too cool not to share. Show us your pre-race excitement, mid-race determination, and post-race triumphs. Share your images using Click2Pins. 📸❄️
