Why do Elites Wear Singlets, Everyone Else Shirts With Sleeves in a Marathon?

I wore singlets when I was in shape... Now I train in cotton t-shirt. Honestly, I can't believe that spending $40 on a polyester (or whatever new name they have now: Dri Fit?) makes any difference at all.

If I get back in shape... I'd wear a singlet again.

Hell yes. I won't do it even then. 14F, strong wind, freezing fog. Over five miles cross country in that, I still go shirtless when I run. I like the frozen spikes in my hair, and the way the fog freezes onto the hairs on my arms. There's something great about not feeling the cold when it's like that, because I'm putting so much effort in. I go faster at those times than any other. I like seeing people's reactions too.

Hell yes. I won't do it even then. 14F, strong wind, freezing fog. Over five miles cross country in that, I still go shirtless when I run. I like the frozen spikes in my hair, and the way the fog freezes onto the hairs on my arms. There's something great about not feeling the cold when it's like that, because I'm putting so much effort in. I go faster at those times than any other. I like seeing people's reactions too.

Not everyone looks good in a singlet. the same reason Marion Jones didn't wear bumhuggers.

Ramaala looked bad in his singlet yesterday. It was too big and floppy.

People are comfortable with what they're used to. By the time you actually get to choose what you wear to a race, you've been wearing a singlet in every race for 8+ years of high school and college. For people who start running later in life or who have taken significant time off in between, this isn't the case. I can't imagine running 26+ miles in a cotton t-shirt, but I guess it's all that some runners know.

People feel like if they dress like a pro, but run like a dud, it will actually call extra attention to the fact that they are slow. They'd rather run slow in relative anonymity. It's kind of backwards logic, but I think that's how a lot of people see it. To me, if you are that ashamed of being slow, either get faster, or don't race. Just run for yourself.

As for me, I'm no elite, but I wear singlets because racing is fun, but it's work; and when I work I dress for work, dammit!

i only wear a singlet when i race unless it is very cold.

I couldn't have said it better.

We can all learn a lot by watching the pros. The pros wear only the lighest clothes and shoes they can get away with. No big bulky shirts or big baggy basketball style pants or humongous, clod hopper shoes. Maybe thats one reason why they dont seem to collapse as much as the penguins.

Oh shit where to beging. First, Bill wore a cotton t in the Boston Marathon so there's that. Second, I wear a shirt sometimes if I'm doing some weakass 5k or 10k, it feels like I'm just doing a workout or something, which is often times the case. Third, of course elites wear singlets you stupid moron, what the f*** else are they going to wear? When you are actually trying to get down to business you want to be as near to naked as you can be. seriously, you ever run naked? Have you dammit?! And last I sometimes where my racing singlet I stole from a nike athlete at the pre classic to class and tell girls I'm sponsored by Nike and it's tradition to wear your racing singlet on the day of a big meet, like the olympic trials... It's a speed suit by the way...

FashionChallenged wrote:

Do any elites wear shirts with sleeves? What's the time cutoff...better than 2:30 you wear a singlet?

slightly stoopid wrote:

I sometimes where my racing singlet

wear

True, but bigger people also generate more heat than skinny people.

and then you look like a wannabea poser elitedri fit short sleeve shirt is fine...otherwise you are just taking yourself way too seriously - singlets are just really stupid lookingin the end it is whatever works for you - someone else mentioned the bun huggers for womensome of the elite women do shorts - i've seen deena run marathons in shorts

orbitboy wrote:

People feel like if they dress like a pro, but run like a dud, it will actually call extra attention to the fact that they are slow. They'd rather run slow in relative anonymity. It's kind of backwards logic, but I think that's how a lot of people see it. To me, if you are that ashamed of being slow, either get faster, or don't race. Just run for yourself.

As for me, I'm no elite, but I wear singlets because racing is fun, but it's work; and when I work I dress for work, dammit!