California International Marathon weather.

Typically 8°C on race morning; rain in 2 of the last 10 years. Race morning (07:00 to 11:00 local time) in Sacramento on race day in each of the last 10 years; the 2026 race is on 6 Dec 2026.

Typical
8°C (46°F)
race-morning average
Coolest
3°C (37°F)
lowest reading, 07:00–11:00
Warmest
16°C (61°F)
highest reading, 07:00–11:00
Wet years
2 of 10
rain, drizzle or worse
Humidity
90%
typical
Wind
6 km/h
typical, at 10 m

Race morning, 07:00–11:00

Year by year

Race dayAverageLow–highHumidityWindRainConditions
7 Dec 20255°C (41°F)4°C (40°F)–5°C (42°F)98%3 km/h0.0 mmOvercast
8 Dec 20247°C (44°F)5°C (42°F)–10°C (50°F)89%7 km/h0.0 mmOvercast
3 Dec 202312°C (54°F)11°C (51°F)–16°C (60°F)84%10 km/h0.0 mmOvercast
4 Dec 20229°C (48°F)7°C (45°F)–11°C (53°F)92%8 km/h1.0 mmMainly clear
5 Dec 20218°C (46°F)7°C (45°F)–9°C (48°F)98%5 km/h0.0 mmOvercast
6 Dec 20207°C (44°F)4°C (40°F)–11°C (51°F)84%7 km/h0.0 mmPartly cloudy
8 Dec 201912°C (54°F)11°C (53°F)–13°C (56°F)93%11 km/h5.5 mmLight rain
9 Dec 20188°C (46°F)7°C (45°F)–9°C (47°F)97%5 km/h0.0 mmOvercast
3 Dec 20178°C (46°F)5°C (41°F)–11°C (51°F)79%6 km/h0.0 mmClear
4 Dec 20166°C (43°F)3°C (38°F)–11°C (51°F)85%2 km/h0.0 mmPartly cloudy

Each row is the race's date that year where we know it, else the same weekday nearest its usual date. Temperatures and humidity are averaged over 07:00 to 11:00 local time, rain is the total over those hours, and conditions are the commonest over the morning. The marathon starts at 07:00.

Kit and pacing

What it means

  • Good racing weather

    Around 8°C is close to ideal for a fast time. Shorts and a vest are enough once you're moving; bring a throwaway layer for the wait in the start pen.

  • It can be cold

    The coolest morning here dropped to 3°C. Pack gloves and a throwaway layer even if the forecast looks kind.

  • The weather varies a lot

    Race mornings here have ranged by 8°C from year to year. Pack for both, and settle your kit and pacing from the forecast in the last few days.

General guidance from past years' numbers. Check the forecast in race week.

The course 2026 dates and entry

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com, from its historical weather archive (CC BY 4.0).

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