News in Brief Physics

The physics of fluids explains how crowds of marathon runners move

A new liquid-inspired theory can predict the jostling of throngs of marathoners lining up to race

marathon finish line

SMOOTH MOVE  Packs of runners in the Chicago Marathon behave like a liquid in the lead-up to the race, a new study finds.

N. Bain, D. Bartolo

By Emily Conover

- More than 2 years ago

Marathoners queuing up for a big race tend to go with the flow, surging toward the start line like a fluid.