London Marathon 2018 could be the hottest on record as temperatures in London soar
Runners taking part in this year’s London Marathon will want to stock up on the sun cream, as the 2018 race could be the hottest yet.
Temperatures are expected to peak during the week, with London basking in the sun today, and Thursday 19 April forecast to be the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures picking up to 26°C.
But the forecast for Sunday 22 April aka race day, is also looking warm.
Yesterday may have been the warmest day of the year so far, but we’re going to beat that today and again tomorrow pic.twitter.com/3PJ8e5IEHL— Met Office (@metoffice) April 18, 2018
Read more: Why Nike used 3D printing to make an ultra-light trainer for the Marathon
At present, the Met Office is expecting the temperature to reach 14°C as early as 7am, before picking up to reach 22°C by 1pm and plenty of sun, with some cloud emerging around 4pm.
John West, a Met Office meteorologist, said there is “an even chance that we could see 23°C, which would make it the warmest London Marathon on record”.
West said the previous high was 22.7°C in 1996, and whether a new high will be reached depends on how much cloud is seen on the day, and whether any showers in the west will reach as far east as London.
“Either way it will be a very warm one with high UV levels for both runners and spectators,” he added.
But organisers will have plans in place whatever the weather to help runners feel comfortable (well, as comfortable as you can when running a 26.2 mile race) – which will likely involve stocking up on more water than usual on the day.
Advice will be given out nearer the time to runners and spectators, when the forecast has been firmed up.
Travel troubles on the day
Those taking part in the marathon or just watching have also got travel to think of on the day, with a four-day DLR strike including the 22 April.
Transport for London (TfL) has said it will try to run a limited service during a four-day DLR strike this week.
Limited services will be prioritised to enable participants in the London Marathon to travel to ExCeL to register ahead of the event, and for runners and their supporters to reach the race line in Greenwich and on the Isle of Dogs on Sunday.
But the Jubilee, Central, District and Hammersmith & City Lines in east London are expected to be busier than usual, and stations including Canary Wharf, Canada Water, London Bridge, Canning Town, Bank and Stratford may be “exceptionally busy”.
Read more: TfL issues DLR strike travel advice on busiest stations and what will run