It's going to be chilly this weekend, so be prepared. Here are some clothing tips for runners and spectators.
If you're among the thousands of runners who will be hitting the streets this Sunday for the Philadelphia Marathon or one of the other running events taking place this weekend, be prepared for some chilly weather.
How cold will it be? What should runners wear? What about the spectators?
Here's some information that might help you out.
WEATHER OUTLOOK FOR SATURDAY
Two races associated with the Philadelphia Marathon take place on Saturday: The Rothman Institute 8K run (4.97 miles) starting at 7:30 a.m., and the Kids Fun Run starting at 10:30 a.m.
At 7:30 a.m., it will be mostly sunny but cold, with highs in the mid- to upper-30s and a very light breeze, according to the AccuWeather forecast for Philadelphia. At 10:30 a.m., it will be mostly sunny, between 46 and 49 degrees, with a gentle breeze.
WEATHER OUTLOOK FOR SUNDAY
When the full marathon and half-marathon kick off, both at 7 a.m. Sunday, it will be partly sunny with a high of 44 degrees and westerly winds blowing at about 13 mph.
What should you wear if you're running in the Philadelphia Marathon? (Joseph Kaczmarek | Associated Press) Bad news for the slower runners: The wind will make it feel like it's about 35 degrees during the first two hours of the race, then 38 degrees during the next two hours, AccuWeather says. By noon, the air temperature is expected to be about 47 degrees, and the wind chill around 41, so runners should feel a bit more comfortable at that time.
CLOTHING TIPS FOR RUNNERS
Rob DeFilippis, owner of the Runner's High store in Metuchen and co-owner of the Runner's High store in Freehold, offers this advice: "Make sure you have a good base layer."
The best option for the base layer, he said, is a special synthetic T-shirt or long-sleeve running shirt made with a moisture-wicking material to help keep your skin as dry as possible. Do not wear cotton material as a base layer.
"The old phrase is 'Cotton is rotten,' " DeFilippis said. "You don't want to get drenched."
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Peter Manfra, supervisor at Road Runner Sports in Cherry Hill, agrees runners should avoid wearing clothing made of cotton.
"It soaks up your sweat like a sponge," Manfra said, making you feel even colder in cold weather and posing a risk of chafing or blistering skin.
Because the forecast calls for cold temperatures in the morning, both Manfra and DeFilippis said runners can keep warm by wearing a temporary layer of clothing over their synthetic base layer.
"They can wear a ratty T-shirt or long-sleeved sweatshirt" for the start of the race, DeFilippis said. When the starting gun goes off or once the runners feel comfortable, they can ditch the old clothing on the side of the road.
In addition to an old shirt or sweatshirt over the base layer, Manfra recommends that runners wear an old pair of sweatpants to the race, to avoid getting muscle cramps from the cold weather. And just like the other extra clothing, runners should toss the sweatpants when the race begins. (Discarded clothing at major races typically gets collected and donated to charity groups.)
If you're planning to stand on the street for hours to cheer on the marathoners this weekend, you should dress in layers. (Amanda Marzullo | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) Other accessories that will make runners feel comfortable: A light pair of gloves, and a headband that can wrap around your ears. But make sure those items are made of synthetic materials, so they will keep your skin warm and dry. Hats are also helpful.
Elite runners will usually wear shorts, even on a cold day, but slower marathoners who expect to be out on the road for several hours will be more comfortable wearing running tights, made of a synthetic material, Manfra said.
As for socks, synthetic types are the best for protecting your feet from wetness and blisters. As Manfra notes: "Cotton is your enemy."
CLOTHING TIPS FOR SPECTATORS
For those of you who will be standing on the side of the road for hours to lend support for a friend or loved one, the best advice we can offer is this: Dress in layers. It will be cold in the morning, so bundle up.
The more layers you wear, the more you can strip off if you start feeling warm.
Don't forget gloves or hand warmers, along with a wool hat, ear muffs or a hooded sweatshirt.
Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LensReality. Find NJ.com on Facebook.