Outdoors · 6 min read
NYC Marathon 2026: What Will the Weather Be Like?
On Sunday, November 1, 2026, roughly 50,000 runners will cross five boroughs for the 50th running of the TCS New York City Marathon, finishing in Central Park. We looked at 36 years of weather data for New York to see what race day typically looks like.
In this article
What is the TCS New York City Marathon?What does the weather usually look like on November 1?Why the start line feels colder than the finishPlanning around the forecastFrequently asked questionsWhat is the TCS New York City Marathon?
The New York City Marathon is one of the biggest single-day sporting events in the world, run as a point-to-point course of 26.2 miles starting on Staten Island and finishing in Central Park. The route crosses all five boroughs: from Staten Island, runners cross the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge into Brooklyn, continue through Queens, cross into Manhattan near the halfway point, head north into the Bronx, then return south through Manhattan to finish in Central Park. The 2026 race marks the 50th running of the event, and the first change to the Bronx section of the course in 15 years.
What does the weather usually look like on November 1?
Based on 36 years of data for New York (1990-2025), the average high on November 1 is around 15°C (60°F), with an average low around 7°C (45°F). That sits close to what many runners consider ideal marathon weather: cool enough to avoid overheating over 26.2 miles, without the risk of frost. Measurable rain has fallen on this date in about 42 percent of those 36 years, so packing a layer for the start-line wait is worth doing even if the forecast looks dry.
| Year | Notable November 1 | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Warmest November 1 | 25.9°C (79°F) |
| 1997 | Wettest November 1 | 31.6mm rain |
| 2002 | Coldest November 1 | 10.0°C (33°F) high |
Source: our own calculation from Open-Meteo historical weather data for Central Park, New York, 1990-2025.
Why the start line feels colder than the finish
Runners often underestimate how the wait affects them more than the run itself: with tens of thousands of runners staged on Staten Island well before the roughly 9 a.m. start, standing around in the morning chill for an hour or more feels considerably colder than actually running does. Many runners wear a disposable layer, like an old sweatshirt, that they discard once the race starts and body heat builds up. Checking the morning low, not just the daytime high, is the more useful number for deciding what to wear at the start.
Planning around the forecast
A seasonal average is a starting point, not a forecast: the actual weather for November 1, 2026 will only become reliable within the final week or two before race day. Check the weather in New York closer to the date for the real forecast, and see our guide on how accurate a 14-day forecast really is for how to read it as the date approaches.
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2026 New York City Marathon?
Sunday, November 1, 2026. It is the 50th running of the race.
What is the average temperature on marathon day in New York?
Based on 36 years of data (1990-2025), the average high on November 1 is around 15°C (60°F) and the average low is around 7°C (45°F).
How often does it rain during the NYC Marathon?
Measurable rain has fallen on November 1 in about 42 percent of the last 36 years.
What should I wear while waiting for the start?
A disposable layer such as an old sweatshirt is common, since the wait on Staten Island before the race starts is usually colder than the race itself once you're running.
Check the weather in New York or search another place on the locations page.