Marathon Weather: What to Expect
How temperature, humidity, wind, and rain affect marathon performance — and how to use typical race-day weather when choosing a start line.
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Marathon guide
Best Time of Year to Run a Marathon
Why marathon season clusters in spring and autumn, how hemispheres shift the calendar, and how to align your target race with good conditions.
Why spring and autumn dominate
Cooler starts, longer daylight, and post-winter or pre-winter training cycles make March–May and September–November the busiest marathon months in the Northern Hemisphere. Races like London, Boston, Berlin, Chicago, and New York cluster here for good reason.
Summer and winter trade-offs
Summer marathons in Europe and North America often start very early to beat heat. Winter races in the Southern Hemisphere (Sydney, Cape Town) can offer warm-weather options when the north is cold — but check humidity and sun exposure.
Hemisphere and travel
Running a March marathon in Japan while living in Europe means winter training in the dark. Align your build with local weather where you train, or arrive early enough to acclimatise for hot or high-altitude races.
Browse by month
Use upcoming marathons for races in the next 60 days, or open a month page — for example October marathons — to see what typically runs when. Filter the marathon database by month once you know your target window.
Entry calendars follow race dates
Popular autumn races often open entry in spring. Read marathon entry explained so registration dates do not catch you off guard.
Related Marathon Guides
How to Choose a Marathon
Match a race to your goals — personal bests, sightseeing, atmosphere, or a major milestone — using course data and realistic expectations.
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Marathon Entry: Lotteries, Ballots & Open Registration
How major marathons allocate places — open entry, lotteries, charity bibs, tour operators, and what to check before you commit to a trip.
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