London Marathon 2025 forecast: What will the weather be like for the big race?
The weather at the London Marathon this weekend is set to be hot—and not only for the runners.
Tens of thousands of people have been preparing for the big race on Sunday, and it looks like the huge crowds and the runners have the weather on their side as the Met Office forecasts sunshine and warmth.
Runners and supporters alike should lather on plenty of sun cream as temperatures are expected to reach up to 21°C during the height of the race.
A Met Office spokesperson told Metro: 'High pressure will be building this weekend with temperatures also rising.
'A fine and dry day to come in London for this year's London Marathon on Sunday with sunny spells.
'Highs could reach up to 21°C.'
Those wearing impressive costumes – a tradition at the marathon each year – might get extra sweaty, and like all runners, they should remember to drink plenty. This year's costumes include a full firefighter's uniform and a tent.
The marathon will kick off at 8.50am when the elite wheelchairs start, followed by elite women and men when the temperature will still be a cooler 12°C.
Then the general runners will set off between 9.35am and 11.30am.
The temperature will peak in the afternoon around 4pm, but the mercury could hover around 20°C well into the evening.
Running in the inner city can also feel extra hot due to the concrete and metal surfaces if there are no trees, so any shade will be welcome.
Thanks to the ray of sunshine and reduced cloud coverage at midday, the UV index could reach up to 5, which is moderate.
It means people should not spend too much time in the sun unprotected and 'sunscreen advised,' the Met Office says.
The bad news?
If you are suffering from hay fever already this season, prepare for the 'high pollen' warning in place on Sunday in London.
This year's marathon on April 27 could see a record number of runners take on the 26.2-mile challenge, with over 56,000 people expected to race on the day.
Last year, more than 50,000 runners competed on the course from Greenwich to Buckingham Palace. More Trending
If you get thirsty and want to get in the marathon mood, beer lovers have put together a map showing where you can stop for a pint every two miles along the route.
It might come in handy for spectators after you're done cheering the runners on for the day.
As for the runners, many brands are offering freebies and discounts this weekend ranging from pasta in Soho to free TfL travel on Sunday.
This year's race hasn't even started and it's already time to plan for the London Marathon 2026 as the ballot registration opens on Friday.
Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. Or you can submit your videos and pictures here.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
Follow Metro.co.uk on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates. You can now also get Metro.co.uk articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here.
MORE: British Airways crew member found dead in US hotel room named as dad-of-three
MORE: Bulldog Skincare launches new Anytime Daily UV Moisturiser SPF 50 – and it's perfectly timed for summer
MORE: Hotel manager jailed for rape after guest woke up to find him licking her feet
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Shocking moment floodwater gushes down streets as parts of Britain are hit by intense thunderstorms on hottest day of the year
Floodwater gushed down residential streets on Friday night as parts of Britain were hit by an intense thunderstorm on the hottest day of the year so far. The UK recorded its warmest day of 2025 on Friday, with temperatures reaching a sizzling 29C, the Met Office said. However, the forecasting service warned thunderstorms were 'pushing into' the Channel, with an amber weather warning for severe thunderstorms in the east and south-east coming into force at 8pm on Friday. Dramatic footage taken in Dover last night shows an intense stream of water flowing down a residential road, before a moving car with its hazard lights on comes into view. The vehicle appears to be moved down the street by the extreme force of the water, which resembles a flooded river or stream. Elsewhere, around London, a video clip shows huge lightening strikes in the sky over houses, with those inside the properties shouting out in awe. Yellow and amber thunderstorm warnings are set to be in place for large parts of the country tomorrow as the unstable weather continues into the weekend. It comes as some parts of the UK were simultaneously plunged into official drought after the driest spring in over a century. Forecasters warned the coming days would bring wild swings between tropical heat and violent downpours. The Met Office warned some areas could be hit by up to two inches of rain in just a few hours, with gusty winds reaching up to 50mph, lightning strikes, hail, and the risk of flooding and travel chaos. The violent storms could unleash hail, lightning, and gusty winds, while heavy cloud cover and high humidity may keep things sweltering and uncomfortable overnight. Amid all the chaos, the Environment Agency officially declared a drought in Yorkshire this week, where some areas have seen less than 50 percent of average rainfall this spring and just three-quarters of the May average. It follows a similar move in north-west England last month, and a developing drought zone in parts of the Welsh Water network. The agency warned that the prolonged dry period has drastically reduced water supplies and could pose a serious risk to wildlife, agriculture, and public health. Hosepipe bans and water restrictions may be introduced if the situation worsens. Residents struggle to stop flooding in their homes and businesses in Devon this week A spokesperson said: 'A drought is a prolonged dry period that reduces available water supplies and can negatively impact the environment, people and wildlife.' Simon Partridge added: 'We've got a very warm, humid, spell of wet weather to come.' Under the UKHSA's alert system, the yellow alert signals a likely increase in healthcare demand, particularly from over-65s and people with heart or lung conditions.
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Met Office issues fresh thunderstorms warning for this weekend with up to 50mm of rain to hit in hours
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE MET Office has issued a fresh warning for thunderstorms this weekend, with up to 50mm of rain expected to fall in just a few hours. The alert signals the arrival of severe weather, bringing the risk of flooding, hail, and lightning strikes across the UK. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 There is also a follow-up amber warning that continues until 5am on Monday Credit: Met Office 4 Lightning strikes in the sky along Church Street in Witham, Essex tonight 4 During the thunderstorms, some parts of the UK could receive up to 50mm of rain in just a few hours Brits are urged to be prepared as intense storms are set to hit several regions, sparking concerns of widespread disruption. The weather warnings will affect several areas, including London, the South East, and the East of England, from 8pm this evening until 5am on Saturday morning. There is also a follow-up amber warning that continues until 5am on Monday. The Met Office has highlighted the risk of "fast flowing or deep floodwater" that could endanger lives, with some communities potentially becoming cut off due to flooding. Read more on News HOT TOPIC First heat-health alert this year for 4 areas amid warnings of 'serious' risks During the thunderstorms, some parts of the UK could receive up to 50mm of rain in just a few hours. This will bring major disruption, including road closures, train cancellations, and power outages. The Met Office also warned of the potential for strong winds, reaching up to 50mph, which could exacerbate the impact of the storms. Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin commented that the day would start off 'hot and humid,' with some areas of the country potentially seeing temperatures climb as high as 30°C. However, conditions will soon change, with thunderstorms beginning around 2pm in Wales and the South West, spreading to other areas later in the day. Parts of southern England, including London, could see temperatures remain as high as 28°C on Friday evening, though the heat will quickly give way to more unsettled weather. With 30–50mm of rain expected in some areas before the storms ease early on Saturday, residents across Greater London, Plymouth, Bath, Brighton, Norwich, and parts of the South East are advised to remain alert. Cardiff and other southern regions could experience the heaviest downpours, with some areas possibly receiving up to 80mm of rain. This level of rainfall is likely to cause significant surface water flooding, making driving conditions dangerous and leading to the risk of accidents. The situation has already caused significant flooding in parts of the South West, particularly in Plymouth, where local residents battled knee-deep water. The storms have already resulted in closures, with some roads, such as Gdynia Way and Kings Street, shut down due to flooding. The Theatre Royal in Plymouth has also closed its doors as a result of flood damage. James Mackenzie-Blackman, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of TRP, stated: 'The torrential rain has required us to close the Theatre Royal today as we continue to deal with a significant flood into our basement. Our priority is the safety of our staff, our artists, visitors and participants.' In addition to the potential flooding, strong winds of up to 50mph are expected to cause problems along coasts and hills, further complicating the situation for drivers and emergency services. Local authorities have advised caution when travelling, particularly in affected areas, as there may be delays and possible cancellations to train and bus services. The disruption could continue into the weekend, particularly in areas where floodwater lingers. The Met Office has issued a warning about the increased risk of power cuts, especially in areas where storms bring lightning strikes. Residents are urged to be prepared for the possibility of service interruptions, with some homes and businesses potentially losing power due to the extreme weather. The public is encouraged to monitor the weather closely and take precautions to protect themselves and their property.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Met Office issues fresh thunderstorms warning for this weekend with up to 50mm of rain to hit in hours
Nawal Abdisamad Published: Invalid Date, THE MET Office has issued a fresh warning for thunderstorms this weekend, with up to 50mm of rain expected to fall in just a few hours. The alert signals the arrival of severe weather, bringing the risk of flooding, hail, and lightning strikes across the UK. 4 4 4 Brits are urged to be prepared as intense storms are set to hit several regions, sparking concerns of widespread disruption. The weather warnings will affect several areas, including London, the South East, and the East of England, from 8pm this evening until 5am on Saturday morning. There is also a follow-up amber warning that continues until 5am on Monday. The Met Office has highlighted the risk of "fast flowing or deep floodwater" that could endanger lives, with some communities potentially becoming cut off due to flooding. During the thunderstorms, some parts of the UK could receive up to 50mm of rain in just a few hours. This will bring major disruption, including road closures, train cancellations, and power outages. The Met Office also warned of the potential for strong winds, reaching up to 50mph, which could exacerbate the impact of the storms. Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin commented that the day would start off 'hot and humid,' with some areas of the country potentially seeing temperatures climb as high as 30°C. However, conditions will soon change, with thunderstorms beginning around 2pm in Wales and the South West, spreading to other areas later in the day. Parts of southern England, including London, could see temperatures remain as high as 28°C on Friday evening, though the heat will quickly give way to more unsettled weather. With 30–50mm of rain expected in some areas before the storms ease early on Saturday, residents across Greater London, Plymouth, Bath, Brighton, Norwich, and parts of the South East are advised to remain alert. Cardiff and other southern regions could experience the heaviest downpours, with some areas possibly receiving up to 80mm of rain. This level of rainfall is likely to cause significant surface water flooding, making driving conditions dangerous and leading to the risk of accidents. The situation has already caused significant flooding in parts of the South West, particularly in Plymouth, where local residents battled knee-deep water. The storms have already resulted in closures, with some roads, such as Gdynia Way and Kings Street, shut down due to flooding. The Theatre Royal in Plymouth has also closed its doors as a result of flood damage. James Mackenzie-Blackman, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of TRP, stated: 'The torrential rain has required us to close the Theatre Royal today as we continue to deal with a significant flood into our basement. Our priority is the safety of our staff, our artists, visitors and participants.' In addition to the potential flooding, strong winds of up to 50mph are expected to cause problems along coasts and hills, further complicating the situation for drivers and emergency services. Local authorities have advised caution when travelling, particularly in affected areas, as there may be delays and possible cancellations to train and bus services. The disruption could continue into the weekend, particularly in areas where floodwater lingers. The Met Office has issued a warning about the increased risk of power cuts, especially in areas where storms bring lightning strikes. Residents are urged to be prepared for the possibility of service interruptions, with some homes and businesses potentially losing power due to the extreme weather. The public is encouraged to monitor the weather closely and take precautions to protect themselves and their property. 4
