Runners and spectators in today’s London Marathon face a chilly start, with the possibility of rain showers dampening the spectacle.
This afternoon’s peak temperature is forecast to reach 18 degrees Celsius, although it will be just 14 degrees when the Elite Men’s race and mass start take place.
The Met Office anticipates a cloudy start to the day in London, with the sun breaking through the clouds about noon. However, the afternoon and evening will grow increasingly cloudy. The afternoon high temperature is expected to reach 18 degrees Celsius.
Nevertheless, the organization’s radar seems to indicate the chance of a few showers going over London between 8 am and 11 am.
Northwesterly winds are expected to reach six miles per hour, which should not be strong enough to affect a participant’s pace.
On its website, the Met Office predicts a “cloudy morning with scattered showers, particularly in the south.”
According to the forecast, the rain would gradually dissipate over the afternoon, with most locations becoming drier and brighter and a few sunny breaks appearing. The morning will be cold, but temperatures will rise in the afternoon.
Approximately 50,000 runners are expected to participate in the event, one of the largest on the capital’s calendar. Participants may be seen walking through Blackheath before to the start of the marathon today.
This afternoon is expected to reach a high of 18 degrees Celsius. Photographed: Runners relax at Blackheath this morning before today’s race.
People participating in today’s marathon will have a cloudy morning, with the sun expected to emerge later in the morning. Runners are pictured in front of the Blackheath train station prior to the event.
The route will take runners east from Greenwich Park before turning west and into central London beside the city’s most recognizable attractions.
Temperatures are expected to peak at approximately 18C at 2pm, but will likely be 14C when runners begin the 26.2-mile race. Pictured: Runners at the marathon’s finish line in 2021
Due to a hip ailment, Olympic gold medallist Mo Farah has had to withdraw from today’s race. Pictured: Farah competes in the elite men’s race in the London Marathon in 2020.
Approximately 50,000 people are expected to participate in the race, which will begin in Greenwich Park and end near Buckingham Palace on the Mall.
Tens of thousands of spectators are expected to line the road to cheer on the participants in what will be the final October running of the race. During the pandemic, the race was moved to the fall, but in 2023, it will return to its usual April date.
Three of England’s Lionesses will blow the beginning klaxons, with Leah Williamson being the first to do so at approximately 8.50 a.m., when the wheelchair races begin.
Ellen White will begin the elite women’s race at 9:00 a.m., while Jill Scott will begin the elite men’s race and the mass race of around 40,000 participants at 10:00 a.m.
Participants have been training for months in preparation for today’s London Marathon start. Friday’s training session saw Joyciline Jepkosgei and Judith Jeptum Korir running with pacemakers around the grounds of the De Vere Hotel.
In remembrance of his father Robert, who passed away from Alzheimer’s disease in 2016, London Marathon competitor Simon Phillips will don a Big Ben costume for Alzheimer’s Research UK during the marathon.
A finish Area information sign is shown at Horse Guards Parade during the 2022 London Marathon’s preparations.
The Met Office forecasts that the majority of the wet weather will be limited to the south of the country, while the rest of the country will see sunnier conditions.
It stated, “Rain showers will move eastwards across southern England and the extreme south of Wales this morning, then clear by the afternoon.” Northern Scotland will be windy and rainy, while the majority of the country will be dry and bright.
Clear sky and light breezes will prevail across the United Kingdom tonight, resulting in chilly conditions and patches of fog in some areas. Later in the night, cloud and heavier winds will develop in the far northwest.
And tomorrow, once patches of fog have dissipated, the most of the country will remain dry and sunny, although the Met Office advises “a little light rain is likely in the far south.”
Heavy rain and gales will develop across Northern Ireland and western Scotland, according to the forecast.