Who does bad weather benefit in a Cross-Country race?

Makes virtually no difference. If the weather is more typical for where a group of runners live they may have a slight advantage but we've seen plenty of WCC races where it was miserable and even snowing and the Africans were not fazed.

The best still win wrote:

Makes virtually no difference. If the weather is more typical for where a group of runners live they may have a slight advantage but we've seen plenty of WCC races where it was miserable and even snowing and the Africans were not fazed.

It would be cool to see Bekele back in cross country now that he has regained his place on top of the marathon. I would do anything to see him destroying the field on 12k. He is the best at cross country.

The ones who drink the most eggnog.

Banana Bread wrote:

The best still win wrote:

Makes virtually no difference. If the weather is more typical for where a group of runners live they may have a slight advantage but we've seen plenty of WCC races where it was miserable and even snowing and the Africans were not fazed.

It would be cool to see Bekele back in cross country now that he has regained his place on top of the marathon. I would do anything to see him destroying the field on 12k. He is the best at cross country.

"I like to eat ice cream, but sometimes I don't want to have it: farts and so on and so on. That's why I don't prefer that one. And I don't want to eat too much ice cream and become a big person [gestures with hands and smiles]"

- Bekele, April 2006 Track & Field News, in answer to the question, "What is your favorite ice cream flavor?"

Amazing Racers by Mark Bloom, RE - FM / Aris, girls teams especially.

The mudders. Those whose mother was a mudder

Nobody wants to respond seriously but as a mid distance runner I always suffered when I had to run in muddy/wet conditions. I suspect something to do with fast twitch vs slow twitch ratio makes speed runners tire more quickly when the ground is slippery. Anecdotal but I was very much a fast twitch guy who could handle XC but when things got sloppy I would get dead legs early on.

cosmokramer wrote:

The mudders. Those whose mother was a mudder

His mother was a mudder?

800 legs wrote:

Nobody wants to respond seriously but as a mid distance runner I always suffered when I had to run in muddy/wet conditions. I suspect something to do with fast twitch vs slow twitch ratio makes speed runners tire more quickly when the ground is slippery. Anecdotal but I was very much a fast twitch guy who could handle XC but when things got sloppy I would get dead legs early on.

This. Seems logical that the aerobic monsters would suffer the least from poor weather conditions.

800 legs wrote:

Nobody wants to respond seriously but as a mid distance runner I always suffered when I had to run in muddy/wet conditions. I suspect something to do with fast twitch vs slow twitch ratio makes speed runners tire more quickly when the ground is slippery. Anecdotal but I was very much a fast twitch guy who could handle XC but when things got sloppy I would get dead legs early on.

Ha! I had this exact experience. Def a fast-twitcher, a 100/200/400 runner who ran XC for endurance. In muddy and sloppy races, I would always be toast, burned out/legs tapped early, which didn't otherwise happen...I realized it at the time, and tried to work on it, but no luck.

Supertramp wrote:

Before we start, yes, "THE TOUGHEST RUNNERS!!!", I get it. The runners who are mentally and physically the toughest are going to do better in bad weather. I couldn't agree more.

But aside from that, who benefits? I've usually thought that the guys who are stronger aerobically and over long distances tend to benefit more when the weather is bad, but could more of a 800/1600 guy prefer the slower pace?

Also, really my main question, what sort of team does it benefit? Would you rather be a team with serious front runner stars who lack depth when the weather turns? Or does it benefit more well-rounded teams that might be lacking a lowstick?

Curious what people think and have observed in the past?

What do you consider bad weather?

During a race, if the weather is putting more hurt on you than you are, then it's not the weather's fault.

Supertramp wrote:

Before we start, yes, "THE TOUGHEST RUNNERS!!!", I get it. The runners who are mentally and physically the toughest are going to do better in bad weather. I couldn't agree more.

But aside from that, who benefits? I've usually thought that the guys who are stronger aerobically and over long distances tend to benefit more when the weather is bad, but could more of a 800/1600 guy prefer the slower pace?

Also, really my main question, what sort of team does it benefit? Would you rather be a team with serious front runner stars who lack depth when the weather turns? Or does it benefit more well-rounded teams that might be lacking a lowstick?

Curious what people think and have observed in the past?

First of all, discounting the main types of runners it benefits and then expecting us to come up with other answers is kind of a ridiculous thing to do.

With that said, with all types of weather, the types of runners that it "benefits" the most are the types of runners who prepare the best for it. If it's hot, the runners who hydrated prepare the best. If it's cold, it probably benefits the runners who wear the appropriate apparel (not necessarily more, but whatever holds in enough heat but doesn't cause overheating). For "bad weather" whatever that means, it'll benefit those who likely have accepted the inevitable and come up with a suitable race plan.

It certainly does not benefit a front runner, as they aren't able to get away as easily and might face the consequences of getting out hard in bad conditions. However, remember this, teams rarely win anything without a front runner. Every good team likely has somebody finishing in the top 5 or 10 near the front.

I'd say in mud and snow, it benefits runners who get out really well in the race and hold their position. In perfect conditions, it benefits everyone, but I'm sure people may go out a bit too fast if they're feeling great on the course.

800 legs wrote:

Nobody wants to respond seriously but as a mid distance runner I always suffered when I had to run in muddy/wet conditions. I suspect something to do with fast twitch vs slow twitch ratio makes speed runners tire more quickly when the ground is slippery. Anecdotal but I was very much a fast twitch guy who could handle XC but when things got sloppy I would get dead legs early on.

I wouldn't say it's the muscle fiber difference, as that would make a difference regardless. I'd say mid distance runners tend to have "prettier" form with a higher knee drive and more wasted energy. The shufflers and more economical runners who aren't displacing output as much are the ones who benefit.

Those that aren't sugar addicts. Diet/which fuel your metabolism relies on more is a huge factor i.e. see the 2018 Boston Marathon.

Banana Bread wrote:

It would be cool to see Bekele back in cross country now that he has regained his place on top of the marathon.

Sooooo close ...

It typically favors CU. At least it has in the past.

The worse the weather or terrain, the more likely a person can win who otherwise could never have a shot at winning based on speed alone. You don’t mention what type of bad weather, but strides shorten, power lessens if muddy or icy, wind batters the front runners, etc. The finishing speed becomes less meaningful if the weather is bad enough and/or the terrain slippery enough. Power becomes more important than speed.

If I were a coach rolling into a bad weather event, I’d want the Des Linden and Yuki types - strong runners with consistently good times. I would be nervous if I had a bunch of Mo Farah style runners (relying on “last lap” closing speed).

well if the bad weather slows down the runners for safety sake, then the guy with more 800m speed would be at advantage over the marathon guy because they would have the energy for a fast final 100m-400m