Met Office warns rain could hit the start of the London Marathon

Running in the rain! Met Office warns showers could hit the start of the London Marathon – before temperatures hit 17C today

• Forecasters predict there could be some showers as 50,000 runners take part in today’s London Marathon
• Meteorologists expect the clouds to clear towards midday, with temperatures reaching 18C in the afternoon
• The 26.2-mile race is set to start at Greenwich Park, with runners heading to the Mall near Buckingham Palace

Runners and spectators in the London Marathon face a cool start today, with the prospect of some rain showers to put a dampener on the blockbuster event.

Temperatures are expected to reach a high of 18C this afternoon, although it will be a relatively cool 14C when the Elite Men’s race and mass start take place.

The Met Office’s forecast for London predicts a cloudy start to the day, with the sun breaking through the clouds around midday, although it will become more overcast later into the afternoon and evening. The maximum temperature is set to be 18C in the mid-afternoon. 

However, the organisation’s radar seems to suggest the possibility of some showers moving through London between 8am and 11am. 

Wind speeds are forecast to reach six miles per hour from the north west, which shouldn’t be gusty enough to impact a participant’s pace. 

On its website the Met Office says it will be a ‘cloudy morning with some outbreaks of rain, especially across southern areas’.

It added the conditions would see ‘rain gradually clearing into the afternoon, with most places becoming drier and brighter, with some sunny spells developing. A cool start, but temperatures should recover into the afternoon.’

Around 50,000 runners are set to take part in the event, which is one of the biggest in the capital’s calendar. Pictured: Participants walk thought Blackheath before the start of the marathon today

There are set to be highs of 18C this afternoon. Pictured: Runners rest their legs in Blackheath this morning ahead of today’s race

People taking part in today’s marathon will see an overcast start to the day, with the sun set to break through later in the morning. Pictured: Runners outside Blackheath train station ahead of the event

The route will take runners east out of Greenwich Park before turning west and into central London past iconic landmarks in the capital

Temperatures are anticipated to peak at about 18C at 2pm but will likely be 14C when runners set off from the start line on the 26.2-mile race. Pictured: Runners at the finish area during the 2021 marathon

Olympic gold medalist Mo Farah had been due to take part in today’s race, but has been forced to pull out due to a hip injury. Pictured: Farah runs in the elite men’s race of the 2020 London Marathon

Around 50,000 people are set to take part in the race, which starts at Greenwich Park and will see runners wind their way through central London to the finish line on the Mall near Buckingham Palace.

Tens of thousands of spectators are also set to line the course as they cheer on those taking part in what will be the final time the race will be held in October. The race was pushed back to Autumn throughout the pandemic but 2023 will see a return to April scheduling.

Three of England’s Lionesses will be setting off the starting klaxons, with Leah Williamson sounding the first buzzer at around 8.50am when the wheelchair races begin.

Ellen White will start the women’s elite race at 9am, while Jill Scott gets the elite men and the mass race of close to 40,000 starters under way by 10am.

Participants have been preparing for the London Marathon for months and will finally set off today. Pictured: Joyciline Jepkosgei and Judith Jeptum Korir running with pacemakers around the grounds of the De Vere Hotel during a training session on Friday

London Marathon participant Simon Phillips will wear a Big Ben costume during the race in aid of Alzheimer’s Research UK in memory of his father, Robert, who died with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016

Pictured: A finish Area information sign is seen at Horse Guards Parade during the preparations for the 2022 London Marathon

The Met Office is predicting that most of the wet weather will be confined to the south of the country, with brighter conditions elsewhere.

It said: ‘Outbreaks of rain will move eastwards across southern England and the far south of Wales this morning, clearing by afternoon. Most other parts dry with sunny spells, but breezy and showery for northern Scotland.’

There will be clear skies and light winds across the UK tonight, meaning it could feel chilly and fog patches could develop in some places. Cloud will roll in along with stronger winds in the far northwest later in the night.

And tomorrow will see most of the country remain dry and bright once fog patches clear, although the Met Office warns ‘a little light rain possible in the far south’.

It added there will be ‘heavy rain and gales developing across Northern Ireland and western Scotland.’

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