Boston Marathon 2015: Updated Weather Forecast, Race Route Before Historic Event
The annual Patriots' Day celebration takes place on April 20 with the Boston Marathon serving as the highlight of a day filled with sports action that also includes the Boston Red Sox in action.
This year will mark the 119th running of the Boston Marathon with around 30,000 entrants looking to say they conquered one of the world's most famous races and many more spectators encouraging all of the participants along the 26.2-mile course.
Ahead of the marathon, here's a look at the most recent weather forecast and the route everyone will take through the streets of Boston.
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Weather Forecast
| Temperature (F) | Precipitation | Wind | Sunrise (ET) |
| 51 degrees (High) | 100 percent chance of rain early | ESE 20 mph | 5:56 a.m. |
Route (via Zeninjor Enwemeka of WBUR)
Storylines
The biggest thing everyone will be paying attention to when the race begins is rain. The weather forecast doesn't look promising as far as it pertains to clear skies, though that may not be the worst thing.
Precipitation does keep temperatures cool, which makes it easier for runners to avoid injuries in the heat and humidity around the Boston area. The negative side of that is it may wreak havoc on the times because runners may have to avoid heavy water spots and get less traction due to the slick ground.
Barry Burbank of CBS Boston pointed out that the heavier part of the rain is likely to come after most of the runners have finished:
"I think that some mist or sprinkles could be developing at the start line in Hopkinton between 9 and 10 o’clock. The temperature will rise just a few degrees to the middle 40s as the east-southeasterly wind freshens to 10-20 MPH.
Current projections show a few hundredths to one tenth of an inch of rain across most of the race route up to 2 p.m. After that, the rain will become steadier and heavier with 0.3 to 0.4 of an inch falling between 2 and 8 p.m.
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Regardless of the weather forecast, it's not going to force any runners to stay away from the Boston Marathon.
Amby Burfoot of Runner's World told Jimmy Golen of the Associated Press (h/t MassLive.com) that 2015 is, in many ways, a return to form after everything that happened with last year's race as the first one following the bombings:
"Last year was without question the greatest footrace in the history of humankind. Every runner and every spectator was a hero last year. We can't do that again. There's only one of those. This year is almost a return to the new normalcy."
The term "new normalcy" is appropriate because the Boston Marathon can't simply go back to being a race. It's such a huge part of the fabric of the city and people that it's always going to be a massive celebration of spirit.
Whatever the outcome of this year's race, Boston is going to be ready to celebrate everyone who finishes. Unless you have taken the plunge and attempted to run 26.2 miles, it's impossible to imagine how difficult it is to do and complete.
The atmosphere in Boston, even if it's rainy, and the thousands upon thousands of participants give this race an electricity that few sporting events in this country are able to match.
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