I love the fall. The temperatures cool off, there is a crispness in the air and it’s prime racing season. With so many races happening this fall, there are inevitably folks who are pinning bib numbers on for the first time (or the first time in a long time). I thought I’d share a few things NOT to do while racing. I’ve had personal experience with each and every one of these things (either I’ve done it or experienced someone else do it) so this is tried and true advice.
Don’t: Start way up front if you are planning on walking the race.
In many races you are assigned a corral that helps tell you where to position yourself at the start line. However, some races use the honor system, where you simply place yourself where you feel is appropriate. I have observed folks who have positioned themselves right up front walk within the first quarter mile. Walking is completely okay in races. However, it is DANGEROUS (not to mention frustrating) for someone who will be running at a 12 minute mile pace to line up in front of someone who will be running at a 5 minute mile pace. Position yourself properly—if there are no signs to help guide here, here’s a hint: the skinny guys in the short shorts are usually the really fast ones. But on a serious note, you can just ask folks what their expected pace is and the line up accordingly.
Don’t: Stop abruptly in the middle of the road while running.
This happened to me a few weeks ago while running the Army Ten Miler—a group of runners stopped dead-on in the middle of the road, almost causing me to run into them. Again, it is dangerous and frustrating. If you are going to stop, look behind you and move to the edge of the road—not the middle.
Don’t: Spit without looking.
Sometimes you have to spit while you run. We get it. But it’s gross and no one (I repeat: NO ONE) wants to experience that. Please get to the side of the road and look behind you before going for it.
Don’t: Stop immediately once you cross the finish line.
It is definitely okay to slow down to a walk, but know that stopping immediately could cause someone else to run into you—not fun for anybody!
Don’t: Run more than two abreast.
Creating a wall during the race that other runners have to traverse around is considered rude. If you want to run with your friends—that’s great! But run two by two (or in a single-file if the road is very narrow). Don’t make other runners run off-road in order to be able to get around you.
The bottom line is to just think the of these golden rules! Runners are the nicest, most supportive group of people I know so if you break one of these rules no one will yell at you—but everyone will have a more enjoyable race experience if you can avoid that!
What would you add to this list? Happy fall racing!
This post first appeared on Women’s Running.
Don’t discard your cup all willy nilly in the middle of the race course 😉
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Philadelphia Half Training Update
hahahahaha
YES YES 100 times yes–to all of these! Someone stopped right in front of me at the finish line at the Richmond Half a couple of years ago and I’m glad I was paying attention to them instead of my watch, that’s a pretty steep downhill finish and I had picked up a lot of speed! To add one, don’t just stop at water stops–keep walking and if you really need to stop go beyond the water stop to the side of the course!
stacey recently posted…Race Report: Wicked 10K
That’s a good one to add, Stacey!
Love this post! I’ve observed ALL of these during different races this year and it’s so super annoying!
Yep. Definitely got great to experience these things during a race :/
This is SUCH a good list! I’m especially fond of not stopping abruptly. I had problems with this on Saturday at Richmond–I almost ran into a runner like, 3 different times. Ugh!
Sarah @ Sarah’s on the run recently posted…TOTR: I’M A MARATHONER!
ack – I really hate that!!
Oh so many of my pet peeves.
Can I add don’t take selfies in the middle of the race course. Lately I seem to trip over people who are stopping to play with there phone, move it to the side people.
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero recently posted…5 Ways to Get Back Your Running Motivation
Amen to that!!!!
YES!!! These are all very important for everyone to have an enjoyable race. I think the first point – line up where you should! – is probably most important. Faster runners don’t want to run around you and you don’t want to get trampled and have a bad experience.
Great stuff!!
Allie recently posted…What Type of Runner Are You?
Thanks Allie – I just wish folks would consider this when at the start line!
Amen. I’ve been spit on for so many races because people just don’t pay attention. Obviously there are always accidents but it never ceases to gross me out.
Hollie recently posted…Memorial 5k (19:30)
Yuck. That’s one of the grossest things ever and SO easy to prevent!
Yes to all of these! Another don’t – don’t throw your half empty cup of water or Gatorade without looking around you. The last thing another runner wants, or needs, is to be showered with the liquid you decided to not drink. If its Gatorade, it just creates such a sticky mess!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Tips for Staying Healthy Over the Holidays (and a SmartyPants Giveaway!)
OMG YES!!! That is the absolute WORST!
AMEN to all of these.
I’d add gu packets to the list of things to be careful where you’re tossing them– they get slippery and sticky and it’s a pain to be hit with an errant throwaway one.
In the last few races I’ve done, I’ve noticed the galloway people raising their hand before they slowed down to walk. I LOVE this idea- it was so nice to have a visual cue, even just 5 seconds before, that they were going to be changing their pace.
Mags recently posted…Marine Corps Marathon Race Report
Yes, I saw a lot of people doing that during MCM and I really appreciated it!
Yes to all of these!!!
Also….don’t assume the stranger you meet at the starting line is looking for a running buddy for the entire race. I am a runner who thrives off of running alone. I may smile and speak as we get to the starting line, but I am not inviting you to run with me a chat the entire race.
Hahaha, that’s true. But if you run with me for a couple miles, you might be stuck with me, fair warning 🙂
YES YES YES YES. Don’t cut people off as you zoom in from the far side of the path to get a water actively being handed to someone else.
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Update: Dealing with Spinal Injury
HA. I hate that. In some races, water stations are more like war zones!
Oh, Lord…don’t even get me started on the people who stop in the middle of the street during a race. Oh, and what about those people who just throw their cups to the side after a water stop without even looking to see if someone is behind them? C’mon…
Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…Nonfiction November: My Experience with Audiobooks
Yes, girl, yes. The WORST. I can’t even…
Look around before high fiving your friend – I was smacked in the face by a girl who enthusiastically high fived her friend at the mile 2 marker of a half marathon. And yes, according to my husband, that is something that would only happen to me!
Oh wow – that is something I’ve NEVER seen before! Ouch!
It’s all true! I had a person at a 5K push in front of me and they were power walking the whole race…ridiculous…
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…Running Club Roundup: Fairmount Running Club
that is NOT OKAY!
Don’t have someone pass your kids over the finish line coral so they can finish with you. This may be ok at a small race but is dangerous at large races, especially if the finish line is all down hill. I almost tripped over a child who cut into a large DC races finish and watched as someone passed an infant to the child’s parent at another marathon. Share the joy of running with your children but do it safely and teach them race etiquette
yikes. that sounds SO dangerous!
I agree with all of the above. I think my biggest pet peeve is starting in a corral that you shouldn’t be in and then walking immediately!
Your tips are spot on! I love that you point out that “the skinny guys in the short shorts are usually the really fast ones” and that walkers shouldn’t line up in front of them, but it happens. I find that especially true at smaller races where more families come out who might not know about race etiquette. I “try” not to get annoyed if I run up on a slower walker in those races, and try to just look at it as it’s good that they are out running. 🙂
I once had a guy turn and spit (or possibly worse – think snot rocket) on my leg during the MCM. Ewww!
I’m catching up on reading old posts now that the holidays are behind me. Can you tell? 🙂
Debbie @ Deb Runs recently posted…Six Ways To Become Accountable
OH MY WORD. EW EW EW!