It's supposed to rain overnight in Berlin. How will a wet road affect race?

Patrick Makau and Geoffrey Mutai managed to run low 2:05's in 2010 while running in the rain in Berlin, and both managed to run a minute to a minute and a half faster in other years at Berlin (2011 & 2012, respectively), so rain during the race might make the race 60 - 90 seconds slower. If the roads manage to dry before or during the race, then the runners will be fine.

If the rain stops an hour before the race, I wonder if the race organizers have considered having people go out to blow dry the road?

I could see the rain affecting times.

http://www.runblogrun.com/geneti%20rain%2C%20by%20rich%20cruse-large.jpg

Organizers should have a big squeegee on the pace car.

And a big blow drier on the car behind it

David G. wrote:

Patrick Makau and Geoffrey Mutai managed to run low 2:05's in 2010 while running in the rain in Berlin, and both managed to run a minute to a minute and a half faster in other years at Berlin (2011 & 2012, respectively), so rain during the race might make the race 60 - 90 seconds slower.

Actually, moderately wet roads will lower the times. It is well known in the biking community that roads that have a bit of water on them (not puddles) actually lowers rollers resistance and it would have a similar effect for impact forces from a running shoe. The little bit of water on the ground helps lubricates the contact patch with the tire/shoe, minimizing hysterics losses from rubber/casing deformation.

wejo wrote:

Latest forecast shows for rain to stop one hour before race time. Wind will be low during race. Do you all think rain stopping one hour before race will have any impact? Roads shouldn't be bad I'd think but haven't thought much about it if a non dry road would slow them down.

Dont know about that Sub2 shoe, but Adidas flats have always a great traction on the wet.

Anyone used the Nike 4% on the wet?

I did a 21 mile long run in my Vaporfly 4% on a beach path with light rain and drizzle and it held up fine. I didn't subjectively feel the VF4 had as much traction or grip compared to the Zoom Fly but I was able to run at a faster pace(vs Zoom Fly) without problems.

rain is good! It means more oxygen

The Zoom Fly has a pretty slick looking bottom, but it might provide just enough traction that the wet doesn't affect it.

scorpion_runner wrote:

rain is good! It means more oxygen

Truth. They also don't need to slow down to drink as the air is more humid.

We May Never Know wrote:

Organizers should have a big squeegee on the pace car.

It is wet shoes and socks that have a big effect.

Don't worry...Nike has special shoes for Eliud that air the shoes out mid-run!

https://fortunedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/rtx1soky.jpg

KAV wrote:

wejo wrote:

Latest forecast shows for rain to stop one hour before race time. Wind will be low during race. Do you all think rain stopping one hour before race will have any impact? Roads shouldn't be bad I'd think but haven't thought much about it if a non dry road would slow them down.

Dont know about that Sub2 shoe, but Adidas flats have always a great traction on the wet.

Anyone used the Nike 4% on the wet?

If the Sub2 shoe uses anything like that continental rubber on the Boston, Supernova, etc then it has fantastic traction.

Interestingly, since the poster before mentioned bicycle racing in the wet, I've always loved Continental tires. Also have continental tires on my car!

Any time I'm on the road, I'm on Continental. They should sponsor me.

Negative ions from rainfall result in more positive moods and feelings of increased energy.

Rain will purify the air, removing pollutants.

As long as it is not raining during the race, the rain will improve chances of running faster.

If the Elites have the same pattern as the regular VaporFlys they won't do great. It's a pretty flat sheet of black rubber on the forefoot and a lot of stack height to make any slipping feel much worse. There's a bit of tread obviously but no real channels to move water.

Nike runners will be worse off, Adidas use continental tyre rubber on the soles of their shoes.

Professor Armstrong wrote:

David G. wrote:

Patrick Makau and Geoffrey Mutai managed to run low 2:05's in 2010 while running in the rain in Berlin, and both managed to run a minute to a minute and a half faster in other years at Berlin (2011 & 2012, respectively), so rain during the race might make the race 60 - 90 seconds slower.

Actually, moderately wet roads will lower the times. It is well known in the biking community that roads that have a bit of water on them (not puddles) actually lowers rollers resistance and it would have a similar effect for impact forces from a running shoe. The little bit of water on the ground helps lubricates the contact patch with the tire/shoe, minimizing hysterics losses from rubber/casing deformation.

This is some degree of idiotic, but it's hard to say exactly.

Dry would be preferable since with any wet there will be *some*, probably slight and unnoticeable, but some, slippage/wasted effort (think an ice rink with no skates on but far less).

On a dry road, there is no loss of impact/rebound in the ground plane as there is with a wet (or loose surface) road.

As long as it is not enough to soak the shoes and make them heavier a damp surface will not be detrimental. Like somebody has said it lessens impact forces, as well the slight cushion of water provides a rebound effect as some of the water is trapped between the road surface and shoe . Traction loss is negligible with a mid foot strike at that sort of rhythm.