Race etiquette

ccbarbeau

I have my first 'real' race this Sunday and I'm wondering - is it rude to listen to my iPod during the race? Are there any other faux pas I should be aware of (apart from a misplaced Farmers' blow).

Thanks!

nejaustin

Nope, if it is allowed and you like to run with it then do so. You may want to try running some of it with out it if there is a supportive crowd. Some of my favorite memories of races is something a random spectator said in support as I ran by. So I do both

FabMrFox

*never shake hands with any runner that is wearing only one sock.

Kekibird

Listen to your iPod, wear a tutu, put on some wings, have fun!

Just do your best!

lstnlondry

Stay to the right if you have a slower pace. Do Not stop while there is someone behind you and YES acknowledge any supporters holding signs, giving hi-fives & congratulating you!

chivalryder

Check to see if it is allowed. Many organizations do not allow you to listen to music while running because it is a huge safety risk. You cannot hear who is around you!

I know that I haven't found a single cross-country running organization that allows them for that reason.

meghan6867

I had my first "real" race last weekend and I actually had the exact same question.

I think the general consensus is : iPods are ok, but sometimes discouraged. If you decide to bring one (and many people do) have it off when you start, finish, and when it's crowded on the route. Some people listen to it with one earbud out and that seems to work well for them.

Mainly, just make sure you can still hear what's going on around you.

On that note: I listened to an iPod during my race and it really got me moving. The sound of the crowd cheering is pretty motivational though too.

Good luck! And HAVE FUN!

meshashesha2012

actually i disagree about wearing headphones. i've seen many collisions in races because one person was wearing headphones and wasn't able to hear when another runner said "on your right " or "on your left" .

but wearing headphones seems to be more common now than when i first started racing a several years ago. it's kind of like people are running in their own little worlds while forgetting that their are other people around you on race day, and some races can be very very crowded

jesse1379

Only fart if you are in last place. That is all.

BrianSharpe

Some races permit headphones some don't, personally I don't think they're a great idea when running let alone in races - your hearing gives you a lot of feedback about what is going on around you and situational awareness is important, especially in a race.

If your race assigns corrals based on estimated finishing times use the appropriate one. I'm not exactly Speedy Gonzalez but it drives me nuts when walkers and really slow runners line up in the front corrall and you have to spend the first few minutes of the race working your way around them. I have seen people get pushed by elite runners (they're shooting for scholarships, prize money & at some races qualifying times for national teams, we're there for fun and maybe some bragging rights)

arc918

Don't line up in the front unless you are fast.

I say ditch the headphones so you can take it all in and make friends out on the course.

_JR_

If you simply HAVE to wear your headphones, only use one earbud so you can still hear people trying to get around you.

The race is a social event. I have to agree that it's more fun listening to the sound of the race and not the music on your ipod.

CentralCaliCycling

People who are serious about racing (whether running or cycling) tend to feel that headphones are a distraction that can cause problems during the race. I think riding or running with one in the ear is not all that problematic but it is against race etiquette and often against the rules of the event.

wolfchild59

Check your specific race guidelines about the headphones, they will tell you if you can or can't. If they aren't allowed, there are some organizations that will disqualify you from the race if you are seen with headphones on, so it's not something you just want to guess at.

Other than that, I'll echo some of what others have said. Acknowledge the volunteers and crowd support, they're out there on their time doing it to help you guys out. High-five people that are on your path that offer it, say thank you when you take water, wave and smile at the people cheering, etc.

If you need to stop or slow-down, start moving to the right before you do so, don't just stop or slow in the run path or you may get run over and have an angry runner on your hands.

Don't try to line up farther forward than you can pace at just because you want to be closer to the front.

Also, don't take more than your fair share of anything being given out for free at the packet pick-up expo or at the fair that is often set up at the end of a race. Take one water, one piece of fruit, one snack bar, etc.

And non-etiquette type of stuff - don't wear or bring anything that you haven't already run with more than once during training. And don't eat or drink anything for a couple of days before that you haven't during your training.

Oh, and have fun!

lporter229

I only wear my headphones on races greater than 10K where there tend to be "dead zones", and then I take one ear bud out in crowded areas. You will probably see others wearing them regardless of distance, but I agree with the others that said to ditch them and enjoy the atmosphere for your first race.

Most races are chip timed and they will usually collect your chip at the finish line (unless it is on your bib, then usually not), so don't forget to give that to them.

Good luck and have fun!!

ThickMcRunFast

I agree with those who say don't go up front unless you're fast...even if its just a 5k fun run, its annoying to have to get around slower runners, screws up peoples paces, and may lead to some twisted ankles (If I had a nickle for every time I had to twist around a group girls in tutus, walking 3 abreast...ugh).

If you normally run with an ipod and the race allows it, then its ok, but personally I don't do it. Its fun to soak up the atmosphere, especially if the race is well-spectated.

Also, if you need to make a potty stop or something along the way, or at a water station, don't just suddenly zig zag across the street. I hate it when a runner nearly crashes into me going for water. Other than that, relax and have fun!

Mokey41

Only wear one earbud if music is allowed and keep the volume way down so you can hear around you.
Unless you are Speedy Gonzalez stay to the right so you aren't in the way.
Don't stop or slow to a walk unless you've checked that no one is behind you and stay to the right.
Don't blow snot rockets or spit unless you're sure there is no one in the way.
Don't run 3 or 4 abreast with your buddies taking up the whole lane.
Do acknowledge cheerleaders on the sidelines even if just with a small wave and grimace.
Have fun!

brandyk77

Don't line up in the front unless you are fast.

I say ditch the headphones so you can take it all in and make friends out on the course.

THIS

also:
number on front
do not wear the race shirt during the race
do not take forever in the bathroom, there are others waiting
and for goodness sake, do not stop in the middle of the street - just like driving, check behind you and move over
and I will smack you if you answer your phone

chivalryder

actually i disagree about wearing headphones. i've seen many collisions in races because one person was wearing headphones and wasn't able to hear when another runner said "on your right " or "on your left" .

but wearing headphones seems to be more common now than when i first started racing a several years ago. it's kind of like people are running in their own little worlds while forgetting that their are other people around you on race day, and some races can be very very crowded

THIS!!

perfectingpatti

Thank all the volunteers along the way!

tfonz10

Most races don't allow it. Personally I wear them for everything except trail runs. If you choose to wear them be aware of other people. If you are a slower pace please dont line up at the front. I am a speedy runner and I don't call out "on your left" or generally expect people to get out of my way.

Elzecat

line up in the back if it's your first race, or if you consider yourself a bit slower than average.
pass on the left.
stay to the right of the course, especially if you are doing run/walk intervals--stopping short in the middle can cause pileups (literally!)
most races allow headphones but be courteous and don't play your music so loud that you are unaware of your environment.
at water stations, throw your cups in the trash. don't be a litterbug. also throwing cups on the sidewalk can cause others to trip and fall on them.

Talk to people, smile, make new friends!

Elzecat

Thank all the volunteers along the way!

this too!

brandyk77

at water stations, throw your cups in the trash. don't be a litterbug. also throwing cups on the sidewalk can cause others to trip and fall on them.

I'm sorry but WHAT? This is not race etiquette at all. You throw to the side to avoid people stepping on them but there is no requirement for throwing them in the trashcan. That can actually be more problematic if you are jumping around, stopping, and darting over to the side. I don't think I have ever been in a race that didn't have a clean up crew at each water stop.

secretlobster

If this is your first race I would ditch the iPod, even if it is allowed. For your own sake, there will be enough "first real race" adrenaline that you won't need music to keep you going. But being aware of a ton of other runners around you is really important too, and I see a lot of iPod users at races 10k and under who are a little too oblivious to the fact that there are other people running.

Be courteous to those around, and especially behind, you. If you need to stop to walk or slow down, go near the side of the road or even off the road entirely.

I have to second staying near the back unless you are confident that you are FAST.

And always high five the little kids. You will make their day.

Other than that it will be really hard to piss people off. Have fun

secretlobster

I'm sorry but WHAT? This is not race etiquette at all. You throw to the side to avoid people stepping on them but there is no requirement for throwing them in the trashcan. That can actually be more problematic if you are jumping around, stopping, and darting over to the side. I don't think I have ever been in a race that didn't have a clean up crew at each water stop.

To be quite honest, I don't think I've ever been in a race that had trash cans near the water stops at all, people just throw cups on the ground and the volunteers clean them up.

secretlobster

Only fart if you are in last place. That is all.

LOL yes this is much appreciated

jesse1379

at water stations, throw your cups in the trash. don't be a litterbug. also throwing cups on the sidewalk can cause others to trip and fall on them.

I'm sorry but WHAT? This is not race etiquette at all. You throw to the side to avoid people stepping on them but there is no requirement for throwing them in the trashcan. That can actually be more problematic if you are jumping around, stopping, and darting over to the side. I don't think I have ever been in a race that didn't have a clean up crew at each water stop.

Lol yeah there happen to be squirrels running a marathon then they might be at risk of tripping over my paper cup lol. Really??

mortyfit

I've worn headphones in every one of the 60+ races I've run in the past two years. I keep the volume such that I can hear it, but I can still hear everything around me. I've never wandered into a ditch, a car, another runner, a wall, or any other imagined safety hazard, the majority of which are only created by people acting stupidly.........unless the race organizers make a specific point of it, wear them and use common sense about the volume.

Other points also include glancing behind you before spitting or blowing snot rockets to make sure you aren't about to spray anyone else; and don't suddenly dart between other runners to get to open space. Take a glance or two behind you and make it obvious that you intend to come over, and 99% of other runners will make sure you have space to get through. I can't stand when people are weaving in and out all over the place and I have to suddenly adjust my pace to avoid crashing into them.

Thank the water people, in particular. They don't hear it often enough and I've seen some rather rude runners splash them/knock the cups out of their hands because the runner refuses to slow down to get it, etc. They are keeping you from keeling over. Be nice to them!

Final pet peeve: Line up at the start in an appropriate position. If you are fast and intend to run fast, by all means, start at the front. If they have "corrals" based on your intended/possible pace, go start in the appropriate one. Not much more irritating than being stuck in a crowd of people who over-estimated their ability and started much farther forward than they should have. Don't mean that to sound arrogant--two years ago when I got into being serious about running, I started in the back of nearly every race!

bonjour24

most of what everyone else has said. but sometimes a fart slips out, wherever you are in the race. manners depict that you deny any knowledge, even if it was really loud and clearly you.
i'm a really, really slow runner and i start at the very back with the walkers. i am not ashamed- that's the perfect place for me to start. i like it because as the race goes on, i pass people who have fried themselves too soon.
wave at the kids, and thank people who direct you and give you water.
and i listen to my ipod. in busy places i'll remove an ear. but there are a lot of quiet spots, and as i'm always near the back there's not much danger of me getting in anyone's way.

Lisah8969

First...Brandyk77 - why can't you wear the race shirt during the race?

If the iPod is allowed and you are used to it, wear it. I forgot mine for my second Half and just listening to myself breathe in the spots between "entertainment" was mind numbing. I don't listen to it so loud that I can't hear someone behind me telling me that they are passing me.

Definitely stay to the right if you are slower and don't walk 3 or 4 people abreast. I do intervals when doing my races, so I always look behind me before I slow down to make sure I'm not about to be in someone's way.

Have Fun!!!