Race Etiquette

--amadeus--

Greetings!

This thread isn't meant as a holier than thou, a rant or a dig at anyone who may do things differently! Most of us here have run a few races of various distances and have developed an understanding of "race etiquette" - what is and isn't acceptable. The thing is that none of it is written down and you tend to learn by making mistakes so I thought it might be good for the experienced folk to give an Intro to the (so far) unwritten rules.

1 - Be aware of your surroundings. Lots of people wear MP3 players in training or racing. That's fine but please be aware of your surroundings. If there is a faster runner coming up behind you then try not to block them (esp if there are a couple of friends running or walking together). Be aware of marshals and thier instructions. Many courses are open to traffic so be careful of cars. This one is a mix of etiquette and safety but believe me there is nothing more frustrating than being trapped behind 3 or 4 runners line abreast blocking your route ahead!

2 - Be polite. Most runners are civil folk but like any collection there are bad apples. Try not to take your frustration out on others! For example if your way is blocked by a group of slower runners don't just elbow and barge through them, a friendly shout of "Look out ahead, coming through!" will warn them you're on your way and give them time to make space for you. Likewise at water stops and marshals - they are giving up part of a wekend to let you indulge your hobby, a thank you goes a long way!

3 - Be respectful. Again it sounds obvious but I have heard horror stories of people at 10k finish lines loudly moaning about how gutted and dissapointed they are with an awful finish time of xx when people are still struggling across the line 10 - 15 or 20 mins after that. Unless you are Haille then there is somebody faster than you are. Slower runners work just as hard as faster runners and it's not hard to respect that effort. Speed snobbery is - thankfully - rare but it can be crushing for somone who is delighted with thier first ever sub 60 min 10k to hear a voice in the crowd saying that anything over 45 min and you may as well walk it.

4 - Line up in the right place. Big races are chip timed. Small races you won't be held up that long getting over the line. Regardless there is nothing more frustrating than trying to get off to a good start and to be tripping over racers who line up at the very front and start at a walk. If we all lined up with our speed peer group the races would be a lot cleaner at the start! We all push up to where we hope to be but please keep it in perspective. If you are a 4:30 runner don't jump into the sub 3:00 pen, it'll only be counter productive in the long run!

5 - Be careful where you spit!! i have lost count of how many snot rockets and spittle streams I have had to hurdle! Please, please, please look before you clear your pasages!!! Equally look before you swerve - if you see a friend in the crowd or need to get to the side of the road then please slow gradually and check over yur shoulder before cutting across.

Those are my top 5. Apologies if it sounds up it's own a*se or preachy, it's not meant to. Anyone else have some they'd like to add?

hunnymonster

you've covered all the big ones Amadeus,

A couple of smaller points

race number: In running races your number should be positioned to the front. Don't fold it up. Sponsors have invested in this race to make it possible, if you hide their name on your number and your photo is the one that happens to make the front page of the paper they have lost out on the advertising they invested in.

cups/bottles - One of the guilty pleasures of racing is that you get to drop little. I always get a "naughty" feeling when I do but it is completely legitimate thing to do. However, have some consideration for the volunteer who has to come along and pick up after you. Don't throw bottles over ditches, don't throw them into the path of oncoming runners, ....

plodder

hunnymonster wrote: »

cups/bottles - One of the guilty pleasures of racing is that you get to drop little. I always get a "naughty" feeling when I do but it is completely legitimate thing to do. However have some consideration for the volunteer who has to come along and pick up after you. Don't throw bottles over ditches, don't throw them into the path of oncoming runners, ....

They should place a skip or load of bins, say 300-400 metres after the water stations, and then tell people about them. I think people would be happy to throw their rubbish, (including the gel wrappers, which are not that easy to sweep up) into a suitable receptable, once they know it's there.

Peckham

On a slightly different perspective....

Encouraging others
More so for the longer distance races, but if you see someone struggling a quick word of encouragement as you go past can go a long way to help them along, or get them out of a rut. A simple "come on, keep it going" may be all it needs. Racing can be a lonely sport, but we've all got the same objectives and most of us have hit the low points and some of us have referenced previous races where the encouragement of a stranger has made the difference.

Acknowledge the crowd
People are standing on the side of a road in west Dublin somewhere on a cold bank holiday Monday morning, some of them are waiting to see a friend/family member go by, but others are just out for the event and to encourage strangers along. A simple wave or smile shows that their support is appreciated and encourages them to shout louder for the people behind you (who may need it more than you). In the Dublin marathon there will also be larger groups of North American supporters who have travelled over with a charity group - they tend to make the most noise, and are always worth a wave or clap.

Talk to people at the start
Many people are on the start line alone, we've all got the same nerves and apprehension and we're all standing around doing nothing waiting for the start. Chatting to others will help you settle yourself, and will help them. However, if the person doesn't want to talk, this will be clear and respect their form of preparation.

Talk to runners around you in the dull mid-section of a marathon
Excitement has worn off a little by mile 6 or so, but you'll probably be running along with the same people who are at the same pace as you. See who's interested in chatting - it will pass the time along the boredom stretch, which for many in Dublin can be the long slog between leaving Phoenix Park and the halfway point. It's supposed to be fun, and many experienced people will have interesting stories of previous marathons, or can keep you informed of what's up ahead if you're unfamiliar with the route.

tunney

Multi-lap events

While completing any road race is an achievement in todays day and age be aware that while your goal may only be completion that there may be people racing the event and you may well be lapped. Make way for people lapping you. If you don't well, they'll run through you and its not pleasant for anyone.

(I've been cursed recently for this one - "What the f*ck, its not a f*cking race man" from people walking arm in arm in the ten miler in the park)

geoff29

tunney wrote: »

Multi-lap events
(I've been cursed recently for this one - "What the f*ck, its not a f*cking race man" from people walking arm in arm in the ten miler in the park)

...had that recently I got shouted at to "calm the f*ck down!". Maybe it was by the same person! It was during the queue though at Tescos and not in an actual race...



nah it was in a race.

wilson8862

Ye've already covered most of the bases, but here's one that really gets me. Supporters on bikes who think it's perfectly acceptable to cycle alongside their friend/husband/wife/whatever on the course to hand them food and drink and offer encouragement. I've seen this a fair bit in the Dublin marathon in particular, and have had a couple of fairly heated exchanges with people as a result. Some will even weave over and back across the road to maintain the same pace as their runner.

In fairness, I'd blame the runner more than the supporter for this, but I would generally blame both equally in the heat of the moment!

Peckham

wilson8862 wrote: »

Ye've already covered most of the bases, but here's one that really gets me. Supporters on bikes who think it's perfectly acceptable to cycle alongside their friend/husband/wife/whatever on the course to hand them food and drink and offer encouragement. I've seen this a fair bit in the Dublin marathon in particular, and have had a couple of fairly heated exchanges with people as a result. Some will even weave over and back across the road to maintain the same pace as their runner.

In fairness, I'd blame the runner more than the supporter for this, but I would generally blame both equally in the heat of the moment!

This isn't an etiquette issue, it's against the rules in most marathons. Rules of Dublin marathon states as below, and if a bike was annoying me I'd have no problem reminding them of this rule.

PACING OF ATHLETES
Race judges may disqualify athletes who are paced by person or persons on bicycles on the race route.

shels4ever

--amadeus-- wrote: »

Greetings!

This thread isn't meant as a holier than thou, a rant or a dig at anyone who may do things differently! Most of us here have run a few races of various distances and have developed an understanding of "race etiquette" - what is and isn't acceptable. The thing is that none of it is written down and you tend to learn by making mistakes so I thought it might be good for the experienced folk to give an Intro to the (so far) unwritten rules.

1 - Be aware of your surroundings. Lots of people wear MP3 players in training or racing. That's fine but please be aware of your surroundings. If there is a faster runner coming up behind you then try not to block them (esp if there are a couple of friends running or walking together). Be aware of marshals and thier instructions. Many courses are open to traffic so be careful of cars. This one is a mix of etiquette and safety but believe me there is nothing more frustrating than being trapped behind 3 or 4 runners line abreast blocking your route ahead!

I agree with this 100% adn support the ban on the mp3 player in races...

2 - Be polite. Most runners are civil folk but like any collection there are bad apples. Try not to take your frustration out on others! For example if your way is blocked by a group of slower runners don't just elbow and barge through them, a friendly shout of "Look out ahead, coming through!" will warn them you're on your way and give them time to make space for you. Likewise at water stops and marshals - they are giving up part of a wekend to let you indulge your hobby, a thank you goes a long way!

To be honest I agree but there are times when i can jsut about speak in a run, so can be hard to do..when passing people. But I'd alway be polite, except for one time where there were some kids walking on a route 4 abrest and almost pushed some poor wome to the ground. , but that doesn't happen often.

3 - Be respectful. Again it sounds obvious but I have heard horror stories of people at 10k finish lines loudly moaning about how gutted and dissapointed they are with an awful finish time of xx when people are still struggling across the line 10 - 15 or 20 mins after that. Unless you are Haille then there is somebody faster than you are. Slower runners work just as hard as faster runners and it's not hard to respect that effort. Speed snobbery is - thankfully - rare but it can be crushing for somone who is delighted with thier first ever sub 60 min 10k to hear a voice in the crowd saying that anything over 45 min and you may as well walk it.

We i've no problem with this as long as they are not talking directly to people, I ran a 48 min 5 mile this year and to me that was a disgrace, but if i'm talking to anyone else I respect all times, jsut getting around is great.

Main thing is respect as everyone as a different goal in a run.

4 - Line up in the right place. Big races are chip timed. Small races you won't be held up that long getting over the line. Regardless there is nothing more frustrating than trying to get off to a good start and to be tripping over racers who line up at the very front and start at a walk. If we all lined up with our speed peer group the races would be a lot cleaner at the start! We all push up to where we hope to be but please keep it in perspective. If you are a 4:30 runner don't jump into the sub 3:00 pen, it'll only be counter productive in the long run!


Ok this one , will not run the bupa ireland 10k again because of this. I would suggest that you should never be in a pen with a time more then 5-10 % faster then your time ie for a 40 min 5 miler you may get away with been in the 35-40 pen but not the 30-35.

5 - Be careful where you spit!! i have lost count of how many snot rockets and spittle streams I have had to hurdle! Please, please, please look before you clear your pasages!!! Equally look before you swerve - if you see a friend in the crowd or need to get to the side of the road then please slow gradually and check over yur shoulder before cutting across.

Never had this problem but yuck....


When it comes to all of these i think people know the events that they will run and in some cases you really need to understand the people the even is focused at, for example the Bupa 10 k will have a huge focus on non runners and people who will onyl do one run a year, while others will have a more well raced field..

Salty Dog

5 - Be careful where you spit!!

Glad you included this. During the 5 miler in the park this year, someone managed to hit my face. Classy !!

The Hammer

Given the recent discussion over in
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055382953&page=8
about lizanne's coral hopping in berlin sticking to the right coral at the start of the major marathons/races is a must for running etiquette.

Also in relation to the people walking hand in hand in the bigger races - ie Frank Duffy and the 1/2 marathon. I think it is of little use for us runners to be shouting and roaring at them. No point wasting energy there. Just swerve around them and move on. Getting into a war of words when you can barely catch your breath is self defeating really.

tunney

The Hammer wrote: »

Also in relation to the people walking hand in hand in the bigger races - ie Frank Duffy and the 1/2 marathon. I think it is of little use for us runners to be shouting and roaring at them. No point wasting energy there. Just swerve around them and move on. Getting into a war of words when you can barely catch your breath is self defeating really.

Well I beat a guy by 5 seconds and gained a place in the 10 miler. He choose to go around the walkers, I choose to go through. All I said was usual "on the right", it was them that shouted and roared

DAVE_K

what's the deal on accidents - do you stop or do you keep going and inform the stewards.

I was in a triathlon last saturday and a girl 2 places up came off her bike (what looked to be badly enough). The girl 1 place up stopped to see if she was OK. I slowed down and didn't know what to do - whether to stop or not......half of me was going "there's someone with her, she'll be alright", the competitive streak in me was going "if I stop now those 5 guys up my @ss will pass me out" (i was very close to the front)..........i kept going, and about 200 metres up saw a woman out the front of a house and yelled "someone down and hurt back there" - i later found out that she called the ambulance which was (to me) a whole lot better than an extra body standing around with no mobile, no way to help.........but I felt like a real dick carrying on............until i hit the next corner, come off the bike and lost about 5 places anyway.............and in a strange sort of way felt better about the whole thing

RacoonQueen

wilson8862 wrote: »

Ye've already covered most of the bases, but here's one that really gets me. Supporters on bikes who think it's perfectly acceptable to cycle alongside their friend/husband/wife/whatever on the course to hand them food and drink and offer encouragement. I've seen this a fair bit in the Dublin marathon in particular, and have had a couple of fairly heated exchanges with people as a result. Some will even weave over and back across the road to maintain the same pace as their runner.

In fairness, I'd blame the runner more than the supporter for this, but I would generally blame both equally in the heat of the moment!

Thats the one I was going to mention. Came across this in last years marathon and it really peed me off. What annoyed more was the amount of stewards they passed who didn't do anything about it. :mad:

RoyMcC

mp1972 wrote: »

Thats the one I was going to mention. Came across this in last years marathon and it really peed me off. What annoyed more was the amount of stewards they passed who didn't do anything about it. :mad:

To be fair to the stewards this would usually fall outside their area of responsibility. In many cases they wouldn't even be aware of this race rule. In my view it's up to the runners themselves to police this and have a word with the offender(s) who might then get the message. Maybe also mention the fact to the Race Director later.

thirtyfoot

Another annoying one is when Irish priests start Riverdancing on the course just as you approach them and you are about to win an Olympic gold medal:D

I was running in a road race a fair few years back when a guy on a bike brought down 3 of the guys in a leading pack, the practice of bike pacers should be banned from all marathons or road races.

Krusty_Clown

mp1972 wrote: »

Thats the one I was going to mention. Came across this in last years marathon and it really peed me off. What annoyed more was the amount of stewards they passed who didn't do anything about it. :mad:

I saw a few over the years in the Connemarathon, and I always felt it was ok, as they were supporting marathon or ultra-runners (the leading runners), who were a class above us mere half-marathoners. But I can see how this would be hugely frustrating in the Dublin Marathon, where we're all covering the same distance. I can also see how other marathoners and ultras who are participating in the same event and wouldn't have the same benefits, might be ticked off.

Where is the line drawn though? What about family members who race around on public transport (off the circuit) to provide you with a drink/gels? If you were a marathon/ultra purist, would you carry everything you need and only pick up items from the official race water/food stations? What did runners do, before gels and lucozade sport? Why am I asking so many questions, when I should be out running?

geld

This is turning to a marathon etiquete thread but one aspect of racing that annoys me is the practice of race finishers doing their warm down on the course while other runners are still racing. On behalf of us slower runners give us a bit of space and a clear line to the finish!

In fairness most early finishers show some respect by getting out of the way but you do get the some who seem to copy the arm-in-arm brigade of that famous Womens 10k race in June.