Advice on how to handle a rainy race situation
Rain or shine, the race goes on – so why let a little rain stop you? You can’t control the weather, but you can control how you prepare for it.
1. Try to stay as dry as possible before the race.
- Try to stay inside or covered for as long as possible
- Keep warm and do dynamic stretches to loosen up
2. Avoid cotton and loose clothing.
- Cotton fabric absorbs water, making your clothing heavy to run in
- Instead, go for clothing made of moisture wicking material
- Wear form-fitting clothing instead of loose clothing
- Make sure your running attire is as light as possible
- Wear thin, cotton-free socks
- Consider wearing a hat to prevent rain from hitting your face
3. Rain makes chafing and blisters worse.
- Aim to prevent as much chafing as possible
- Apply body glide or petroleum to anywhere on your body that may get irritated
- Consider covering your toes, heels, legs and underarms
4. Spray your shoes with water repellent.
- Protect your shoes with water repellent spray
- Do this at least 24 hours before the race so your shoes can dry in time
5. Protect your electronics.
- Wrap your phone or iPod in a plastic bag or waterproof case to prevent it from getting wet
6. Pack an extra set of clothes.
- Bring extra clothes to change into after the race – you’ll want to get out of your wet clothes as soon as possible!
