CAPE ELIZABETH, Maine — I don't run recreationally. It's not really my thing. But the times I've been running for other purposes—from angry viewers, towards a tailor to make my suit obscenely tight, or into Arcadia Bar after I saw this sign—I've quickly realized that heat and humidity are the enemy.
With that in mind, the 2024 Beach to Beacon race is going to be pretty soupy.
We've been in a general pattern of high dew points accompanied by a chance of showers, which will continue on Saturday morning. There will likely be a round of showers moving through just a few hours before the start of the race.
The image below is from 6:00 a.m., almost two hours before the race begins. Although this is a mesoscale model; it's unlikely to be exact in the shower placement. So plan on a chance of showers or even a downpour in the hours leading up to the race.
By the start of the race, it looks to be mostly cloudy with a few showers still lingering around. Air temperatures between 72-75 degrees Fahrenheit.
I had to ask people in the newsroom what a good time for a 10k was, and apparently, they felt a good majority of runners would be done by 10 a.m. By that time some sun may break out over Southern Maine.
Keep in mind, regardless if a shower hits the race or not, it will be humid.
Dew points—the only measure that matters when it comes to how sticky it feels. Don't come at me with "It's 88% humidity." I've taught you better—will be hovering near 70 through the race. That's very humid for northern New England.
Good luck to everyone running!
Carson
https://www.instagram.com/keithcarsonweather/
