What happens if it rains during marathon

Should you wear a water-repellant jacket? The answer is… maybe. A water-repellent jacket, specifically designed for running, can keep your torso dry for at least a portion of your marathon. But, there is a tradeoff. Running in a jacket will inevitably keep you warmer. This might be a welcome side effect on a cold, wet day. However, during a summer shower, the extra heat might not be helpful.

Since you never want to overheat during a marathon, there are times when a water-repellent jacket could do more harm than good. Since the goal is to stay as dry as possible for as long as possible, there are other options. First, you could start the marathon in an inexpensive or older water-resistant jacket which you do not mind says good-bye to. Then, you could remove it and toss it aside during the race if you become too warm.

At many marathons, such as the Boston Marathon , discarded clothing is collected, cleaned and donated to charity. Another option is to skip the jacket altogether and wear a plastic poncho or garbage with holes cut for the head and arms before your start time. You can expect to spend a long time in the starting area before your wave. A poncho is a great way to stay dry while soaking up the pre-race atmosphere. But, a poncho can be a hazard while running. When your start time arrives, tear the plastic away and start the race relatively warm and dry.

If you are training for a marathon, you are well familiar with chaffing. From sports bras to nipples and thighs, there is just a lot of friction involved in running. Sadly, rain just makes chaffing worse. Pieces of clothing and body parts that have never rubbed before will once they get wet. Before a marathon in the rain, use petroleum jelly everywhere that chaffing is even a remote possibility. Pay special attention to the spaces between your toes and the arches of your feet since those areas are prone to raw skin in wet shoes.

When you think you have applied enough petroleum jelly, add a little more. The last thing you want is to develop hot spots at a soggy mile seven. Related: How to prevent nipple chaffing? If the forecast calls for a rainy race day, grab a can of waterproofing spray and give your shoes a coat. For running a marathon in the rain, you might not want to wear your newest sneakers. Instead, opt for an older pair that are well broken in, are comfortable for long distances, and still have ample miles left on them.

Then, you can simply toss your soaked shoes at the finish line. Even better, if you have your own cheering squad, you could do a mid-race shoe swap. Ask a friend or family member to meet you at a specific mile marker with a fresh pair of shoes and socks in a plastic bag. Wet pavement, especially fresh asphalt and any roadway that has been painted or has a metal covering, is likely to be slick when wet. Older shoes won't offer either optimum traction or maximum support. It's uncomfortable enough to run in the rain, so don't make it worse by lacing on old, worn-out shoes.

Stay as dry as you can before the race. If you'll be standing at the starting point in the rain for more than a few minutes, either cut a hole in a trash bag and wear it as a poncho, or purchase a feather-light folding poncho from your local drugstore. These come with small storage pouches that can be tucked into your supply belt once the race is about to start.

Don't try to run in a trash bag or poncho, because they may cause you to overheat. If you'll be carrying any kind of small electronics during the race, make sure that they have waterproof covers, or slip them into plastic zip-close bags.

Have a friend or family member wait for you at the or mile mark with two pairs of fresh socks and a towel if you're not running to beat your former time. Either have someone waiting at the end of the race with dry socks and a dry shirt or a warm sweatshirt, or leave them in a bag in your car. Get out of your wet socks and shoes as quickly as possible to avoid blisters. Dry the rest of yourself off immediately and put on something lightweight but warm to avoid getting a chill.

Brynne Chandler has lived all over the world, including five years in Houston. An avid runner and occasional weight-lifter, she fell in love with fitness while writing TV Animation in Los Angeles. Her passion for cooking and fascination with nutrition led to studying at Pierce College in Los Angeles, working with chefs, caterers and inspired her to launch a second career writing non-fiction and instructional articles which have appeared in the United States and in Europe.

By Brynne Chandler Updated June 02, Can Running Give You a Rash? What Temperature Is Dangerous for Running? I was desperate for tips and I think I found the mother-load here. I will be using every one of them. Laura, Thank you very much for sharing! I was organizing my gear, worried about the forecast downpour for the Portland Marathon last Sunday.

I found your tips for preparing to run in the rain. The Aquaphor and the grocery bags in the shoes held up by my cutoff compression socks , worked great. My feet never did get wet, and I got no blisters or chafing. Misery averted! Glad I found these today as I will definitely be using them! ARGH I am so sorry to be getting to this so late!

Hope the race goes well! Just stumbled on your blog! Thank you for all the good advice! Which marathon are you running? Wishing you lots of luck — be sure to let me know how it goes!

I ran Nashville in the rain and had a blast :. Awesome tips!!! I never would have thought of using store bags between socks and shoes. Thanks for all the tips, especially the reminder to have fun!!!

Great useful post. Let me know how it goes! I have sweaty feet and they worked great for me. Thank you so much for the detailed tips, Laura!!! And thank you so much for reading. I am so glad I found this blog before my race! Up until 2 days ago the forecast for the NY marathon was 60 and overcast but now it looks like rain. It is my first marathon so I was trying to go for time but after reading about the ounce of water in your shoes can slow down your time I might have to adjust my expectations.

After reading this I definitely feel like I have more of a handle on the situation so thank you!! Arie, you are going to have SO much fun in the marathon regardless of the rain! Please let me know how it goes! Hi Laura, so we got really lucky with the rain! I brought my plastic bags and had my husband meet me along the race track with my extra shoes and bags, which luckily I never needed.

I did use Aquaphor on my feet just in case : Overall it was a great race and I was very happy with the time ! Your blog was so helpful and also a great read! Sounds like it was an amazing race!!! Hi Laura, thanks for writing this up. Any other tips for practice runs in the rain? How unfortunate that the weather will be so bad!

Have you considered a treadmill training run instead? Haha ; But sometimes you have to do what you have to do. Those were some really good tips, Laura. Just had to read it, and was so surprised by some of the great ideas you had. I look forward to borrowing some of them. Thank you. Thanks for the article. I read this before running Boston I adopted some of these suggestions.

I did wear glasses and a brim hat in order to shield the wind and rain. Ran it in Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Email Address. Actions taken from the hyperlinks on this blog may yield commissions for 50by View my FTC disclaimer. Design elements may not be copied or transferred. Filed Under: running Tagged With: marathon , running.

Comments Amy Writing While Running says:. July 3, at am. July 3, at pm. Zenaida Arroyo says:. Courtney says:. Thanks for sharing, Courtney! Kristen L says:. July 8, at pm. Jackie says:. March 14, at pm. March 16, at pm. Javi says:. April 1, at am. Woozil says:. July 6, at am. Scot says:. February 16, at pm.

February 17, at am. Thanks, Laura. February 17, at pm. Amy says:. March 21, at pm. Laura, do you loosely tie the plastic around your feet? Looking at rain for a marathon tmrw.

March 22, at am. Michelle says:. April 16, at am. Danielle says:. Danielle, have a great race!!! You both have to come back after and tell me how it went :. Michelle G says:. April 16, at pm. Tami says:. Good luck this weekend!

April 20, at am. I had never heard of that! How did it go? What did you do to protect your shoes? Kristy says:. April 21, at pm. Good luck, Kristy! I will be virtually cheering for you! Allison says:.