Get Prepared for the Event

Footwear & Apparel

Footwear Requirements

Runners come in all shapes and sizes. Height, weight, running style and terrain all differ, so finding the right shoe to suit your needs is all-important.

A good pair of running shoes should be comfortable, supportive, and if possible get you across the finishing line faster. Over 90% of all runners have a foot strike that lands on the heel area. Over the course of a run this will happen thousands of times, so footwear that protects and cushions the foot is a must.

Continual impacts whilst running on hard surfaces such as pavements and roads put a great deal of stress on the lower body. Cushioning and shock absorption for comfort and injury protection are key in a running shoe, however an efficient cushioning system should also assist an efficient, natural foot strike, and support motion control.

A shoe that fits well is both physically and psychologically important. Running long distances is tough enough without having to worry about uncomfortable shoes and worse still, skin irritations. These issues can be compounded by moisture, so keeping the foot cool and dry, no matter what the conditions, is also key for comfort. That means in hot conditions the shoe has to enable efficient ventilation and cooling regardless how long the distance. Yet, comfort could also mean that during cold and wet conditions a waterproof shoe construction protects from snow or rain penetrating the foot while still allowing the foot's moisture (i.e. vapour) to be relieved.

Apparel Requirements

A run should be an enjoyable experience and all adidas running garments are designed specifically with that aim in mind. Instead of making a runner damp and uncomfortable by leaving moisture on the skin, all garments must rapidly wick moisture away from the body to feel much more comfortable throughout a run.

Modern wicking fabrics should not absorb water when it's raining like cotton does, so the customer will remain drier and will avoid dragging a heavy, soaked t-shirt around the usual running route. The dark winter nights also bring cold temperatures, so it's important to keep warm. New lightweight but warm materials offer solutions to run in comfort even when people question a runner's sanity as they head out to face the elements.

Light base layers, for example made of ClimaCool® or adidas TechFit are a perfect choice. In extreme cold, a lightweight ClimaWarm® fleece for additional insulation can be appropriate. If it's raining, pick a ClimaProof® top layer that is breathable, wind-and water-resistant or even water-proof. For cold weather running, warm leg-wear is essential.

Keeping runner's leg muscles warm will ensure that they function more efficiently, and will also reduce chances of suffering a muscle pull or tear - which will occur most often when the muscles are cold. adidas running tights combine great freedom of movement with comfort and insulation. Think about the colder winter months and the additional need for gloves, caps or reflective bands for safety in the dark just to name a few.