The "World's Fastest 5K", a seaside loop along Carlsbad Boulevard run in age-group heats through the morning. April on the coast is usually cool and overcast early, warming toward 70°F by the elite races.
Plan for about 59°F (15°C) at the 08:00 start, feeling like 57°F (14°C), with 77% humidity and 4 mph wind, warming to roughly 59°F (15°C) by the finish. It rained on 1 of the last 10 race days. Wear: Short Sleeve Tech Shirt, Running Shorts, Running Shoes.
Feels like 57°F (14°C) at the start · finish 59°F (15°C) · rain 1 of 10 · start air from 53°F (12°C) to 66°F (19°C)
Conditions at the 08:00 start on the race's usual date each year (usually the first Sunday of April). Years when the race was cancelled or moved still show that date's weather. Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 archive.
Bar: air temperature from start to finish · dot: feels-like effective temperature · ≫ windy (15+ mph) · rain · shaded: PR band 40–50°F
| Year | Start temp | Feels like | Finish | Humidity | Wind | Rain | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 61°F (16°C) | 57°F | 61°F | 53% | 4 mph | – | Clear |
| 2024 | 55°F (13°C) | 52°F | 55°F | 73% | 3 mph | – | Clear |
| 2023 | 53°F (12°C) | 52°F | 53°F | 87% | 4 mph | – | Mostly clear |
| 2022 | 60°F (16°C) | 58°F | 60°F | 84% | 7 mph | – | Overcast |
| 2021 | 56°F (13°C) | 57°F | 56°F | 96% | 2 mph | – | Overcast |
| 2020 | 56°F (13°C) | 52°F | 56°F | 87% | 10 mph | 0.21 in | Drizzle |
| 2019 | 59°F (15°C) | 60°F | 59°F | 86% | 2 mph | – | Mostly clear |
| 2018 | 58°F (14°C) | 58°F | 58°F | 84% | 3 mph | – | Overcast |
| 2017 | 62°F (17°C) | 60°F | 62°F | 60% | 4 mph | – | Clear |
| 2016 | 66°F (19°C) | 66°F | 66°F | 58% | 1 mph | – | Clear |
Coldest start: 53°F (12°C) in 2023. Warmest: 66°F (19°C) in 2016. Wettest: 0.21 in in 2020.
The time estimates apply published temperature–performance curves to this race's ten-year weather history. Performance peaks at an effective race temperature of roughly 40 to 50°F and degrades faster the warmer it gets and the slower you run (Ely et al., 2007; El Helou et al., 2012). Wind adds a cost that grows with the square of the wind speed (Pugh, 1971), split into head and tail components on point-to-point courses. Shorter races are penalised less. This is a model, not a prediction; your training and the course matter more.
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Built from the 10-year average start conditions by the same engine as the live tool. Treat optional items as corral-only layers you can shed.
Short Sleeve Tech Shirt
Breathable running tee
Running Shorts
Lightweight with built-in brief
Running Shoes
Your regular training shoes
✓ Worn by the author
Compression tight for 40 to 55°F, works under shorts
$78
✓ Worn by the author
Fast-drying micromesh tee for warm-weather miles
$75
Packable wind shell for cool morning miles
$115
✓ Worn by the author
Thin, ribbed quarter sock that keeps grit out
$36
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Over 2016 to 2025 the start averaged 59°F (15°C) (feels like 57°F (14°C)) with 77% humidity and 4 mph wind, warming to about 59°F (15°C) by the finish. It rained measurably on 1 of those 10 race days. The coldest start was 53°F (12°C) in 2023; the warmest was 66°F (19°C) in 2016.
For a typical 59°F (15°C) start: Short Sleeve Tech Shirt, Running Shorts, Running Shoes. Dress for about 15°F warmer than the start temperature, since the race itself adds that much, and plan to shed anything you only need in the corral.
The Carlsbad 5000 is usually held on usually the first Sunday of April. The next expected date is Sunday, April 4, 2027. Confirm on the official site, since dates occasionally move.
The live forecast on this page comes from Open-Meteo and unlocks 16 days before the race. Forecasts inside 7 days are reliable for temperature within a few degrees; rain timing firms up in the last 2 to 3 days. Until then, the 10-year history above is the best planning guide.
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