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Indianapolis, IndianaMarathon & Half Usually the first Saturday of November

CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon Weather & What to Wear

A flat, fast downtown course that has become a Boston-qualifier favourite. Early November in Indianapolis usually means a cold start in the 30s or 40s, with wind the main risk.

The quick answer

Plan for about 43°F (6°C) at the 08:00 start, feeling like 37°F (3°C), with 85% humidity and 6 mph wind, warming to roughly 56°F (13°C) by the finish. It rained on 1 of the last 10 race days. Wear: Long Sleeve Tech Shirt, Running Tights, Running Shoes.

Feels like 37°F (3°C) at the start · finish 56°F (13°C) · rain 1 of 10 · start air from 31°F (-1°C) to 60°F (16°C)

Race-day weather, 2016 to 2025

Conditions at the 08:00 start on the race's usual date each year (usually the first Saturday of November). Years when the race was cancelled or moved still show that date's weather. Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 archive.

No time in mind?
PR band2025202420232022warmest202120202019coldest20182017201630°F40°F50°F60°F70°F

Bar: air temperature from start to finish · dot: feels-like effective temperature · ≫ windy (15+ mph) · rain · shaded: PR band 40–50°F

See the numbers
YearStart tempFeels likeFinishHumidityWindRainSky
202540°F (4°C)36°F50°F90%4 mph–Clear
202438°F (3°C)32°F56°F90%6 mph–Clear
202351°F (11°C)45°F60°F55%7 mph–Mostly clear
202260°F (16°C)55°F65°F86%17 mph0.17 inRain
202131°F (-1°C)25°F51°F86%4 mph–Mostly clear
202046°F (8°C)42°F66°F87%4 mph–Clear
201934°F (1°C)27°F48°F79%6 mph–Overcast
201836°F (2°C)32°F51°F96%2 mph–Clear
201748°F (9°C)43°F55°F85%8 mph–Overcast
201641°F (5°C)37°F58°F92%3 mph–Clear

Coldest start: 31°F (-1°C) in 2021. Warmest: 60°F (16°C) in 2022. Wettest: 0.17 in in 2022.

How we estimate this

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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What to wear for a typical Monumental

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.

Upper body

  • essential

    Long Sleeve Tech Shirt

    Breathable moisture-wicking fabric

Lower body

  • essential

    Running Tights

    Full-length compression tights

Accessories

  • recommended

    Light Gloves

    Thin running gloves

  • recommended

    Headband

    Ear coverage without overheating

Footwear

  • essential

    Running Shoes

    Your regular training shoes

  • recommended

    Wool Running Socks

    Warm and moisture-wicking

Race-day tips for the Monumental

  • •Wear a throwaway layer to the corral (an old sweatshirt or a space blanket) and shed it in the first mile. Most big races donate discarded clothing.
  • •Gloves and a headband solve the cold start without overheating you later; both fit in a waistband once you warm up.
  • •Expect roughly a 13°F climb from the start to the finish. Dress for the finish, not the corral, and plan to shed anything you start in.
  • •Humidity here is high. Sweat will not evaporate well, so wear the lightest, most open fabric you own and apply anti-chafe balm generously.
  • •Nothing new on race day: run your long runs in exactly what you plan to race in, including the socks.

Race-day gear picks

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Frequently asked questions

What is the weather usually like for the CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon?

Over 2016 to 2025 the start averaged 43°F (6°C) (feels like 37°F (3°C)) with 85% humidity and 6 mph wind, warming to about 56°F (13°C) by the finish. It rained measurably on 1 of those 10 race days. The coldest start was 31°F (-1°C) in 2021; the warmest was 60°F (16°C) in 2022.

What should I wear for the Monumental?

For a typical 43°F (6°C) start: Long Sleeve Tech Shirt, Running Tights, 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.

When is the next Monumental?

The CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon is usually held on usually the first Saturday of November. The next expected date is Saturday, November 7, 2026. Confirm on the official site, since dates occasionally move.

How accurate is the race-day forecast?

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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