NEW YORK — Runners and spectators at the TCS New York City Marathon are hoping for perfect weather — but as the climate warms, that’s becoming increasingly difficult to achieve.

There will be millions of spectators and tens of thousands of novice runners tackling the course and a handful of elite athletes fighting for the top spot.

“We’re looking for morning lows in the 30s to 40s, hopefully they won’t rise above the mid 50s to 52s, 53 degrees seems to be the ideal temperature,” says Ben Delaney, NYRR director of training programs and operations.

But that fresh air so sought after by runners may not be around for the marathons of the future. As our climate changes, so does fall.

On average, New York City experiences a week and a half more fall days than normal since 1970. And this has a serious effect on runners.

“If you’re going to have the average go up — when you have that warm marathon by a degree or two, especially when you look at the humidity, that’s going to change how people sweat, how they evaporate it, and then how they finish a race,” he said. ABC News meteorologist Ginger Zee.

For runners who have spent months, if not years, of training, they have one goal in mind: the finish line in Central Park. And a warmer-than-usual marathon day could hurt their chances of making it. Nobody wants that. So what can I do to prepare?

“A hat is always good, it keeps the sun off your face. It keeps the sun off your face, off the top of your head,” Delaney said. “Don’t miss a hydration station. . . . You have to take water every time. Either you drink it, you put it on your body . . . because you have to keep your body cool.”

Sustainability and mitigating the harmful effects of climate change is a primary focus for marathon organizers, especially the new Road Runners for Climate team.

“That’s what it sounds like. It’s a team that cares about the climate, but also likes to run,” says Zee. “There are so many ways to draw attention to things and I think that’s what marathons are about. Yes, they’re about running, but unless you’re one of the elite runners who’s about to win it, it’s about supporting something that’s bigger than you.”

Sustainable steps – like raising funds to offset the marathon’s carbon emissions, using solar generators to power the tents, and bringing the Staten Island Ferry to the starting line are all new initiatives organizers are taking with the goal of being zero to in 2040.

They hope these initiatives will enable millions of runners from around the world to race through all five boroughs in the years to come.

The 2024 TCS New York City Marathon takes place on Sunday, November 3, attracts over 50,000 runners and will be televised in the New York area live on WABC-TV Channel 7, beginning with pre-race coverage at 7:00 am.

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