Effect of wind speed and altitude
on sprint times
According to the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) Competition Rules, sprint and jump performances for which the measured wind speed exceeds +2.0 m/s are deemed illegal. They cannot be ratified for record purposes (IAAF 1998). Performances above 1000m above sea level are classified as "altitude assisted".
Effect on 100m times
Several papers (see References 1-5 below) discuss the impact of wind and altitude in the 100m race. The consensus of these researchers is that the maximum legal tailwind of +2.0 metres/second provides a 0.10-0.12 second advantage over calm conditions at sea level. With no wind, every 1000 metres of elevation will improve performance by roughly 0.03-0.04 seconds.
Correction estimates (Mureika 2008)[3] for 100m at varying altitudes for a male athlete running 10 seconds.
Wind m/s |
0m |
500m |
1000m |
1500m |
2000m |
2500m |
0.0 |
0.00 |
-0.02 |
-0.04 |
-0.05 |
-0.07 |
-0.08 |
+1.0 |
-0.05 |
-0.07 |
-0.08 |
-0.10 |
-0.11 |
-0.12 |
+2.0 |
-0.10 |
-0.11 |
-0.13 |
-0.14 |
-0.15 |
-0.16 |
Correction estimates (Mureika 2008)[3] for 100m at varying altitudes for a female athlete running 11 seconds.
Wind m/s |
0m |
500m |
1000m |
1500m |
2000m |
2500m |
0.0 |
0.00 |
-0.02 |
-0.04 |
-0.06 |
-0.07 |
-0.09 |
+1.0 |
-0.07 |
-0.08 |
-0.10 |
-0.11 |
-0.11 |
-0.14 |
+2.0 |
-0.12 |
-0.14 |
-0.15 |
-0.16 |
-0.17 |
-0.18 |
Linthorne showed that a +2.0 m/s wind advantage is 0.10 seconds for male sprinters and 0.12 seconds for female sprinters. The uncertainties in the effect of wind on race times are 10% and 12%, respectively. (Linthorne 1994)[5]
Effect on 200m times
The information in the tables below assumes the wind direction is down the 100 metres straight. The 200m athlete initially faces a headwind out of the blocks, which gradually subsides to its maximum effect as the athlete rounds the bend into the 100m straight. A +2m/s wind at sea level affects the 200m time by -0.12s for men and -0.14s for women.
Correction estimates (Mureika 2008)[3] for 200m at varying altitudes for a male athlete running 20 seconds.
Wind m/s |
0m |
500m |
1000m |
1500m |
2000m |
2500m |
0.0 |
0.00 |
-0.05 |
-0.10 |
-0.15 |
-0.20 |
-0.24 |
+1.0 |
-0.06 |
-0.11 |
-0.16 |
-0.20 |
-0.24 |
-0.28 |
+2.0 |
-0.12 |
-0.16 |
-0.20 |
-0.25 |
-0.28 |
-0.32 |
Correction estimates (Mureika 2008)[3] for 200m at varying altitudes for a female athlete running 22 seconds.
Wind m/s |
0m |
500m |
1000m |
1500m |
2000m |
2500m |
0.0 |
0.00 |
-0.06 |
-0.11 |
-0.16 |
-0.21 |
-0.26 |
+1.0 |
-0.08 |
-0.16 |
-0.18 |
-0.23 |
-0.27 |
-0.31 |
+2.0 |
-0.14 |
-0.19 |
-0.23 |
-0.28 |
-0.32 |
-0.35 |
Rules of Competition
The competition rules for this event are available from:
References
- DAVIES, C.T.M. (1980) Effects of wind assistance and resistance on the forward motion of a runner. J. Appl. Physio., 48, p. 702-709
- DAPENA, J. and FELTNER, M. (1987) Effects of wind and altitude on the times of 100-meter sprint races. Int. J. Sport Biomech., 3, p. 6-39
- MUREIKA, J.R. (2008) The Legality of wind and altitude assisted performance in the sprints. New Studies in Athletics, 15, p. 53-60
- MUREIKA, J.R. (2001) A Realistic Quasi-physical Model of the 100 Metre Dash. Canadian Journal of Physics, 79 (4), p. 697-713
- LINTHORNE, N.P. (1994) The effect of wind on 100m sprint times, Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 10, p. 110-131
Page Reference
If you quote information from this page in your work, then the reference for this page is:
- MACKENZIE, B. (2009) Effect of wind speed and altitude [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/sprints/altwind.htm [Accessed 12/5/2025]
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