Good morning,
The Waddell & Reed Kansas City Marathon, Half-Marathon & 5k is just two ways away. I waited until today to post a forecast to be sure that there would be little change to the forecast between now and start time. Last year was a warm race by any standards. It was in the in the mid 50s to start and climbed to the upper 70s by noon. This year looks much better. Why is that important? Because, when the air temperature is cooler, your body doesn't use as much energy trying to stay cool. Cooler temp = less energy, less energy needed = better, faster (?) run! Check out the temperature forecast for 8AM Saturday, an hour into the race. The 5k will be over by this point, the average half marathoner will be a little over half way through it and the marathoners will be settling in to a race pace they will carry for the next 10-14 miles.
By around 11:00am, the elite runners, will be done, the average marathoner will have hit wall and be holding, the legs will be sore but the threat of leg cramps, if you drink enough fluids should be lessened because of the temperatures. Below, the predicted 11am conditions.
Winds appear light for the entire race. A little light breeze might be welcome about this time to help keep runners cool. Make sure and watch Friday morning from 5 to 7am. I will be live at the KC Health & Fitness Expo inside the Crown Center Exhibit Hall A, its connected to the Hyatt Regency Crown Center at Pershing & McGee. Its free, open to the public. It's open Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m. and Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Have a great day,
Brett