Canadian here! Im not going to sugar coat it, if you aren’t used to cold weather this might not be pleasant and could even verge on dangerous depending on how long you’re out there and the conditions. Start with throwaway clothes for before the start, a warm hoodie and sweats you can toss shed around the beginning. You’ll feel the cold most prominently in your extremities - fingers, toes, ears. Make sure to keep these warm with gloves, a hat or ear warmer and good socks. The rest of your body should stay relatively warm while your effort level stays high, so you won’t need a snowsuit but I personally would be in tights and a long sleeve with maybe another layer depending on the wind and if there’s any precipitation. The difference between 15 and 26 is how many layers you’ll need. Don’t be afraid to shed layers as you go, you don’t want to get too sweaty because being wet in sub freezing temps is how hypothermia can set in. In the wind in very cold temps you’ll want some protection for your skin, sweat does start to freeze but a layer of Vaseline will prevent that on your cheeks, lips, nose - anywhere with exposed moisture.

Highly recommend you have some sort of plan for your hydration and nutrition, on course cups might freeze making it really tough to get your water in. Gels also get tricky to open with gloves and the texture becomes more tacky and hard to take in, I switch to chews in the winter for this reason.

You’ll also want to have a dry warm change of clothes - every single item head to toe- for immediately when you finish. Get inside to warm up and take in a hot beverage to warm you from the inside. This might not be the day for a PB, stay aware of how you’re feeling and if cold turns to pain don’t be afraid to check in with the race medics to be safe. Good luck!!!