Wind & Drafting Formations

Wind is invisible, but your runners feel it. A steady headwind along a riverside road or a long bridge can turn a comfortable pace into hard work. A well-organised pace group can protect its runners from much of that wind. This lesson explains how.

What a headwind does#

Running into wind means pushing through moving air. The stronger the headwind, the more effort each kilometre takes at the same pace. Just like on a hill, you have two choices:

• Hold the speed, and let the effort rise; or
• Hold the effort, and let the speed drop a little.

For a pace group, the second choice is usually wiser during a headwind section, as long as the time is recovered smoothly later. Just as on slopes, we aim for even effort, not even speed. Small changes only: a few seconds per kilometre, agreed in the strategy plan or with the team leader, not a big slowdown.

Drafting: running in someone's shelter#

Running directly behind another runner, a metre or so back, puts you in their slipstream, where the air is calmer. This is called drafting. Cyclists know this well; runners benefit too, though less, because they move more slowly.

How much does it help? Figures of around 4% energy saving are sometimes quoted for runners in a sheltered position. Treat any single number with caution. The benefit depends on wind strength, running speed, group shape and how close runners stay. At recreational speeds in still air, the gain is modest; in a real headwind, it becomes noticeable. Think of drafting as a bonus that keeps runners fresher, not as time to plan with.

Organising the formation#

When the group turns into the wind:

• Pacer in front, facing the wind. The lead pacer runs at the front so runners can shelter behind the flag. Keep the flag high and visible.
• Compact the group. Call it out: "Headwind ahead, tuck in close behind me!" Runners should stay a comfortable stride apart, not in a long single file.
• Shield the side wind. If the wind comes from the side, a support pacer runs on the windward side (the side the wind comes from), with runners sheltered on the other side.
• Rotate support pacers. In a long headwind section, support pacers can take turns at the most exposed positions so no one tires too much. The lead pacer keeps the pace; the others share the wind work.
• Keep it safe. Close groups need calm running. No sudden braking, and warn of obstacles, cups and turns early.

Tailwinds: do not bank time#

A tailwind feels wonderful. The pace suddenly feels easy and runners want to go faster. Resist it.

• Stay on plan. Use the tailwind to recover any time lost in the headwind section, smoothly, and then hold plan pace.
• Do not get ahead. Seconds banked in a tailwind are tempting, but the wind often turns again, and the energy spent is gone (see Lesson 1.1).
• Watch your runners. An easy-feeling section is a good moment to check how everyone is doing and to encourage them to drink.

Example#

A 2:00 half marathon group (5:41/km) faces a 2 km headwind along the river. The team leader agrees to hold effort, and the group loses about 10 seconds in total. After the turn, with the wind behind, the group runs the next two kilometres at about 5:36/km and is back on schedule, without ever getting ahead of it.

Key takeaways#

• In a headwind, hold effort rather than speed, within small agreed limits.
• Drafting helps, but treat quoted savings such as 4% as a cautious estimate, not a plan.
• Keep the group compact, with the lead pacer in front and support pacers rotating into the exposed positions.
• Use a tailwind to get back on schedule, never to bank extra time.