SKATE TIP OF THE WEEK
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Safe by Design

A guide to setting up a safe and fair finish for an inline speed skating road race

By San Diego Street Elite
Jan. 30, 2009

Comparison to running races

Many organizations are quite experienced in organizing running races. This section of the guide explains how inline skating races are different.

1. Packs
   As mentioned earlier, skaters tend to group themselves together in packs. While there is a tendency for packs to form in running as well, in skate and bicycle races packs are much more prevalent and important.The reason is air resistance which is much more of a factor at higher speeds. Like cyclists, skaters draft each other to reduce wind resistance. Even the skater in the front of a pack or “pace line” has less wind resistance if skaters are close behind than if the skater were alone. Even a very strong skater has difficulty breaking away ahead of the pack because the pack has such an aerodynamic advantage and can take turns “pulling” the group through the onrush of air. Similarly even a skater who is weaker than everyone else in the pack may be able to keep up because of the drafting effect.
   
   Skaters are much more likely than runners to approach the finish line grouped into tight packs.
    
2. Sprint to the line, position changes
   Compared to running, skating finishes are much closer. Because of drafting and packs, skate races are decided by sprints and positions change continuously right up to the finish line. There is an 86 mile skating road race held every year in which the winner and top places are often determined only by inches!
    
3. Stopping
   After the finish line runners can simply stop running and they will soon come to a stop. Skaters must actively work to slow down and stop requiring more distance to do so.

Next: Comparison to biking race

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Related reading:

• Skate Tip of the Week Archive
• Beginners Guide to Outdoor Racing
• Beginners Guide to Inline Skating