Objective To investigate the effect from circumferential distribution angle of forwards wedge vortex generators on aerodynamic drag reduction during flow around a cylinder, so as to provide theoretical evidences for low drag sprint garment design. Methods Forwards wedge vortex generators were reconstructed based on the NIKE’s AeroBalde. Given that the individual parts of an athlete body can be treated as multiple cylinders with varied dimensions and positions, 48 forwards wedge vortex generators were distributed as four columns on windward side of the cylinder, which were symmetrical with the YOZ plane. When the air flowed through the cylinder at the speed of 32 km/h, large eddy simulation was carried out on the computational domains which were properly meshed with polyhedral mesh to investigate the drag force, flow filed and pressure distributions. Results It was effective for drag reduction of the cylinder induced by airflow when two columns of forwards wedge vortex generators were circumferential distributed in the range of 55°-75°and the circumferential internal angle between two columns was in the range of 10° or 15°. The pressure distribution on leeward side of the cylinder was apparently changed after surface modification, which minimized the pressure drag dominant in aerodynamic drag. The drag reduction mechanism was that micro-vortices were generated downstream after flow through the forwards wedge vortex generators, which resulted in an early transition to critical flow with low drag force. Conclusions Effective aerodynamic drag reduction is achieved if forwards wedge vortex generators are properly distributed. The research findings can provide guidance for wind tunnel test and low drag sprint garment design.