Endurancelife Dorset weather.
Typically 7°C on race morning; rain in 4 of the last 10 years. Race morning (07:00 to 11:00 local time) in Swanage on race day in each of the last 10 years; the 2026 race is on 5 Dec 2026.
- Typical
- 7°C (45°F)
- race-morning average
- Coolest
- -3°C (27°F)
- lowest reading, 07:00–11:00
- Warmest
- 12°C (54°F)
- highest reading, 07:00–11:00
- Wet years
- 4 of 10
- rain, drizzle or worse
- Humidity
- 81%
- typical
- Wind
- 26 km/h
- typical, at 10 m
Race morning, 07:00–11:00
Year by year
| Race day | Average | Low–high | Humidity | Wind | Rain | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Dec 2025 | 11°C (52°F) | 11°C (51°F)–12°C (53°F) | 80% | 37 km/h | 0.2 mm | Light drizzle |
| 7 Dec 2024 | 9°C (47°F) | 8°C (46°F)–9°C (49°F) | 69% | 46 km/h | 0.2 mm | Light drizzle |
| 2 Dec 2023 | -3°C (27°F) | -3°C (26°F)–-2°C (28°F) | 95% | 8 km/h | 0.0 mm | Overcast |
| 3 Dec 2022 | 6°C (42°F) | 5°C (40°F)–6°C (44°F) | 75% | 27 km/h | 0.0 mm | Overcast |
| 4 Dec 2021 | 7°C (45°F) | 6°C (44°F)–8°C (47°F) | 77% | 24 km/h | 0.1 mm | Light drizzle |
| 5 Dec 2020 | 5°C (42°F) | 5°C (41°F)–6°C (43°F) | 90% | 37 km/h | 13.2 mm | Rain |
| 7 Dec 2019 | 8°C (46°F) | 7°C (45°F)–9°C (49°F) | 91% | 12 km/h | 0.0 mm | Clear |
| 8 Dec 2018 | 10°C (50°F) | 10°C (49°F)–11°C (52°F) | 73% | 33 km/h | 0.0 mm | Clear |
| 2 Dec 2017 | 3°C (38°F) | 2°C (36°F)–4°C (40°F) | 82% | 8 km/h | 0.0 mm | Overcast |
| 3 Dec 2016 | 7°C (44°F) | 7°C (44°F)–7°C (45°F) | 90% | 21 km/h | 0.0 mm | Overcast |
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.
Kit and pacing
What it means
Good racing weather
Around 7°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.
Be ready for rain
It rained on 4 of the last 10 race mornings. A bin bag or cheap poncho keeps you dry in the start pen; anti-chafe balm and socks that don't hold water help over the distance, and a cap keeps rain out of your eyes.
Expect wind
Wind was 26 km/h on a typical morning here. Run in a group on exposed stretches, and aim for even effort rather than even splits: time lost into a headwind isn't all won back with it behind you.
The weather varies a lot
Race mornings here have ranged by 14°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.
Weather data by Open-Meteo.com, from its historical weather archive (CC BY 4.0).