Saturday is expected to be a glorious day in the weather department for Washington, D.C., with sunny skies and temperatures expected to reach the 70s.
That's great weather for your average resident or tourist, but it may not be ideal for those running in the 2010 SunTrust National Marathon. Why, you ask? It may just be a tad too warm for those expecting fast times on D.C. streets.
Complete 2010 National Marathon Coverage
"For some people, it's their first long run of the season and it will probably be their warmest," said avid runner (and NBC4 meteorologist) Chuck Bell. "That could be tricky for less experienced runners."
Bell said the temperature could be in the 50s for the start of the race at 7 a.m., which isn't bad, but it could jump about 20 degrees by noon, when a lot of the runners on the course are just finishing up.
Last year, in comparison, the high for the day was 51 degrees.
"That makes a big difference," Bell said.
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Race officials are prepping for the warmer temps by ordering an extra 4,000 bottles of water to distribute to more than 11,000 runners on race day.
Despite the higher temperatures, race officials expect a fast race. The National Marathon is the fastest looped course in the country, and only two races -- the Boston Marathon and the Steamtown Marathon in Scranton, Pa. -- are faster in the U.S.
Only two men have ever won the National Marathon. Last year Patrick Moulton broke Michael Wardian's three-year stranglehold on the title. Both are back this year for a rematch.
For a complete breakdown on the field and for more background on the marathon, half marathon and team relay, click here or visit our National Marathon special section.
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