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Race Etiquette: Dos and Don’ts

August 19, 2015 By: Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC27 Comments

A couple of weeks ago, I had the chance to run a fun 5k hosted by comedian (and avid fitness buff) Kevin Hart. It was free and all folks had to do was sign up. It was a really fun experience but while running, I thought it would be good to get a dos and don’ts post out there about race etiquette. I realized there were many first time racers — which is such an incredible thing — and some of them just weren’t familiar with some of the things many of us who race often take for granted. These race etiquette dos and don’ts are also a gentle reminder for us veteran racers as well. 🙂

 Race Day Etiquette Dos and Don'ts

  • Do try and seed yourself according to your pace before the race. Often races will make this easy and have corrals based on time. However, if the race doesn’t have corrals, then line up according to your pace. It can be dangerous (and frustrating) if walkers are lined up right in front of six minute milers. Also, if you have a dog or a stroller be very cognizant of wher eyou are lining up. Starts can often be super crowded and you’ll want to be cognizant of that. 
  • Don’t run in a row of five people across. That makes it difficult (or almost impossible) for folks to pass you and is pretty frustrating for your fellow racers. It’s kinda like when you’re driving on a two lane highway — stay right except to pass. Same principle applies here! 
  • Do pay attention to your surroundings. You are likely going to be surrounded by others running – pay attention and try to remember we all want to have a great race. This means paying attention to things like running with your elbows out (I’ve seen it!), not stopping right in front of someone (pull over to the side if you’re going to stop and walk) and just generally being aware of your surroundings.                   
  • Don’t be so engrossed in your music that you can’t hear people (or bikers on a course that’s not closed) trying to pass you. I’ve seen this more times than I can count and it drives me nuts. During the Kevin Hart 5k, the road was not closed to bikers / other athletes and I almost was hoarse by the finish from shouting “bike on the left – move right!” repeatedly. I know many folks feel tied to their headphones – that’s cool. But if you can’t hear people giving you instructions on the course, that is NOT cool. 
  • Do have fun. Unless you’re a pro, none of us are getting paid to do this (and as I learned at Bird Camp this past weekend – the pros barely get paid as well — more on that in a future post). Enjoy it, smile and be sure to sign up for your next race once you finish! 

What tips to do you have for racers? 


Comments

  1. Stacey says

    August 19, 2015 at 6:48 am

    Great advice–just in time for fall race season! I experienced the proper seeding issue at my tri last weekend–it was a pool swim and improper seeding added at least 2 minutes to my time!
    Stacey recently posted…Smuttynose Half Training: Week 4My Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      August 19, 2015 at 10:04 am

      Oh wow. That’s crazy – how frustrating. But yay on your tri!

      Reply
  2. Hollie says

    August 19, 2015 at 7:06 am

    Running 5 across is one of my biggest pet peeves as well. It makes it nearly impossible to pass if necessary. Great list of reminders for anyone.
    Hollie recently posted…Judy Johnson 5k (20:33)My Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      August 19, 2015 at 10:04 am

      It drives me batty!!!

      Reply
  3. Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says

    August 19, 2015 at 7:53 am

    All great tips! Having people running more than 2 across is a huge pet peeve of mine. Its definitely not fair, and a huge safety issue, to other runners when your group is blocking the course and making it difficult for others to pass you.
    Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Team Boy or Team Girl?My Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      August 19, 2015 at 10:05 am

      Right? It’s part of the reason I often run courses long – weaving around people adds distance!

      Reply
  4. Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says

    August 19, 2015 at 8:17 am

    Great timing for this post. One of my biggest racing pet peeves is runners who line up way ahead of their abilities. I hate weaving around slower runners. Last year at the Chicago Marathon, I passed a woman who was walking. Clearly, she lined up in the A corral, because I was in D and it was a while before I passed her. Why would you do that?
    Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Finding my focusMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      August 19, 2015 at 10:06 am

      I truly hate that. I get so frustrated when I see someone walking ahead of me just a quarter mile into the race. Just seed yourself properly!!

      Reply
  5. Allie says

    August 19, 2015 at 8:18 am

    Yes to all of that and please, please, please try to aim properly in the port-o-potties!!!! 🙂
    Allie recently posted…My Lollapalooza – Runner’s World Half and Festival Weekend!My Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      August 19, 2015 at 10:04 am

      Ohhhhh that’s a good one, girl!!

      Reply
  6. Angie @ Pace with Grace Blog says

    August 19, 2015 at 9:25 am

    Great tips, Courtney! I have seen all of these happening at races and I think it comes down to know racing etiquette and being cognizant of others (not just yourself). I once saw a running spitting during a race and it wasn’t off to the side or anything… there were runners behind them… Not pleasant. Thanks for sharing!
    Angie @ Pace with Grace Blog recently posted…GIVEAWAY Winner Announced + 10 ThingsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      August 19, 2015 at 10:07 am

      Oh gross! How nasty! Yes, just generally being aware that you live in the world with others is super helpful! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Karen - Fit in France says

    August 19, 2015 at 3:29 pm

    I would also suggest that to manage crowds at the water stops, to try and go to the END of the water stop. Not at the first person you see !
    Karen – Fit in France recently posted…Weekly Wrap #2 : Family filled vacationMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      August 19, 2015 at 4:39 pm

      Oh that’s an excellent tip!

      Reply
  8. Emily says

    August 19, 2015 at 3:34 pm

    This is so perfect. I think I have to really try not to be irritated when people line up at the front (who aren’t super fast.) I think understanding your pace often comes as the result of doing more races and gaining more running experience.
    Emily recently posted…WIAW: It’s Okay to Be Full.My Profile

    Reply
  9. HoHo Runs says

    August 19, 2015 at 7:42 pm

    I’m not being mean here, but the kids! I love to see kids participating in a 5k, but they sprint then stop then sprint then stop right in front of you. And there are usually groups of them doing this together. This drives me nuts. Eventually they do seem to tire out and you can pass.
    HoHo Runs recently posted…Change Your FocusMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      August 19, 2015 at 9:14 pm

      lol – not mean. true. totally forgot about that one!

      Reply
  10. Coco says

    August 19, 2015 at 9:32 pm

    Great tips! Does #3 include not spitting (or releasing any other bodily fluids) without making sure there’s no one right behind you?
    Coco recently posted…Grand Canyon SunriseMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      August 19, 2015 at 10:23 pm

      YES! without a doubt! that is GROSS.

      Reply
  11. Kelli says

    August 19, 2015 at 9:35 pm

    These are all great. The headphone thing drives me nuts. As a cyclist I often try to announce I’m passing runners on a multi-use trail but often they don’t hear me and then jump out of their skin as I pass them. Thanks for sharing this list.
    Kelli recently posted…Sometimes you just can’t…My Profile

    Reply
  12. Tara @ Running 'N' Reading says

    August 19, 2015 at 10:43 pm

    Oh, my gosh, Courtney – THE HEADPHONES! Don’t get me wrong, I do listen to music sometimes during races, but I think I’m courteous enough to only have one earbud in or keep the volume low enough that I can hear people if they are trying to get past me or hear an emergency vehicle (a girl in a recent race totally missed that because her music was SOOOO loud!) trying to get through. UGH!
    Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…The Beautiful Bureaucrat by Helen PhillipsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      August 19, 2015 at 11:05 pm

      ugh. this is one of my biggest pet peeves. i get super irritated when people can’t hear others passing. it’s super dangerous as well!

      Reply
  13. Mar @ Mar on the Run says

    August 20, 2015 at 9:42 am

    oh, so much this!! drives me crazy when walkers get up front and people walk or run 4-5 across. AAAHH!
    Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…A Q& A with Olympic Gold Medalist LaShawn MerrittMy Profile

    Reply
  14. Haley says

    August 20, 2015 at 1:31 pm

    I may be alone on this, but how do you feel about people running intervals? All of a sudden I’ll have one or two runners come to an almost complete stop, without any indication at all. That is my biggest pet peeve. I feel like anyone taking a walk break or running intervals should make a hand signal or at lease mention that they’ll be slowing down.
    I also hate to see walkers on the outside of courses. IMO all walkers should remain in the middle to allow runners to pass on the outside, but that’s just my personal opinion.
    Haley recently posted…August Workout PlaylistMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      August 20, 2015 at 6:40 pm

      I don’t mind intervals, I just think people should keep to the sides (the right side) to allow for passing. I’ve heard people say “stopping” or something like that, which is nice.

      Reply
  15. MCM Mama Runs says

    August 20, 2015 at 9:06 pm

    Ugh, 5 across (or even 3 across) drives me crazy if the course is at all packed or tight. Dodging people is no fun.
    MCM Mama Runs recently posted…Healthy Snacks: Fit Snack July BoxMy Profile

    Reply
  16. Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says

    August 23, 2015 at 2:14 pm

    These are all great. I definitely agree with the headphones one…at least wear just one headphone so you can hear your surroundings….it’s safety people!

    Reply

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