Race Etiquette

Ok, so you're men who run with jogging strollers. Sorry your insulted, but if you have a stroller stay towards the back. It's a safety issue. If you are fast you will probably pass me in no time.

Maybe it's because I do not (and may never since I like runs being me time) own a jogging stroller and I've yet to do a race so I have no personal observations, but I'm lost as to why you think jogging strollers pose a safety issue that would require runners with strollers to start in the back regardless of the runner's speed.

I did a 5k in May (not a distance I like to race, but i needed at time), and 5 minutes before the start, a knot of high school kids muscled their way to the front. They all talked about the times they wanted to run, and some should have been there, but some were hoping for sub 30 times....Then they started joking about how they were going to get run over. I was so super annoyed. It was a real "get off my lawn" moment. Anyway, I had to dodge stupid teens for the first 30 seconds of the race.

So yeah, race etiquette.

It wouldn't be as bad if the slower people would stay out of the way to the side. I did a color run this weekend and was at the very front of the second wave. About half the race slaloming around walkers. And if you want to walk with your friends, don't do it side by side and block the whole width of the course.

Seriously, if you are going to walk the whole thing, how about not pushing to get to the front. You are certainly not in any hurry...

I think it's an awareness that some people lack, either because they've never raced before, or they just don't race with any seriousness. Most of the time, etiquette like that is gotten through experience and interaction with the community, and many times, people like that aren't really a part of the community; they just race randomly as a fun hobby.

I just assume that people like that don't know any better, and move on. The world's not going to end if I have to work a bit around slower people now and then.

Good to know. I've been running for the last year (just at the gym and around my neighborhood) and really want to do a 5K. This is something I would have never thought of. Thanks!

The only races I've run in had, if not corrals, at least a marker for pace times. Obviously, people will lie, but I don't see the point, especially in chip timed races. Being at the front won't necessarily affect your time since your official time won't start until after you've crossed the start. My first 5K, I started just behind my practice pace, the same for my next, and, at my first 10K (which I signed up for well before I'd ever run a race or anything, so I put in a slow pace time), I was further back than I should've been. I still made a time I was incredibly happy with. I started the race 13 minutes AFTER the "official" start time! (7,000+ runners.)

And, at my last 5K, there was a 6 year old girl running with her mom, not paying attention tripping people up, and I got tripped up with her. It was incredibly annoying, and potentially dangerous.

I'll take strollers and slow runners over dogs any day. I've been tripped up by leashes in a couple races (why you need a long leash for a run, I don't know), and now will only enter ones that are dog free.

The only races I've run in had, if not corrals, at least a marker for pace times. Obviously, people will lie, but I don't see the point, especially in chip times races. Being at the front won't necessarily affect your time since your official time won't start until after you've crossed the start. My first 5K, I started just behind my practice pace, the same for my next, and, at my first 10K (which I signed up for well before I'd ever run a race or anything, so I put in a slow pace time), I was further back than I should've been. I still made a time I was incredibly happy with. I started the race 13 minutes AFTER the "official" start time! (7,000+ runners.)

And, at my last 5K, there was a 6 year old girl running with her mom, not paying attention tripping people up, and I got tripped up with her. It was incredibly annoying, and potentially dangerous.

This is good to know, I have had a broken neck and back surgery so falls are not good for me. I'm really glad parents are out with their children and being active but parenting always comes first.

The thing that really annoys the hell outta me are the banana costume/frozen yogurt costume guys that have the nerve to pass me!!! GRRRR!! Don't they know they are supposed to make me feel better by going slower than me! I mean, come on... they are in full costume in 90 degree weather - look like they are running 7 min/miles! Damn them! :sad:
Oh wait, I guess their marketing technique worked --- after all, I'm supposed to run after and catch the fro yo guy!

All kidding aside... I'm actually inspired and happy to see ALL the different kinds of people at races. There are SO many friends of mine that shy away from races (even tho they are run/walkers) b/c they think races are for really fast runners. I keep trying to tell them about the spirit at races -- the feeling of adrenaline pumping in your body at the starting line -- the magic in the air.... that you feel sooo proud of yourself when you finish. That racing is addictive b/c it's the best high in the world. But they are so timid about looking like they are newbies or looking like they are turtles. But I LOVE seeing ALL kinds of runners/walkers at races b/c they are getting out there and TRYING! And who knows where their first race will lead them to next!?! EVERYONE was once a beginner at everything! Let's give others grace and welcome them to the sport - wherever they are in their training!

That said, if you are very serious about your time - stick to races that are well-managed, well-designed races with many race directors or a race board of directors (a race that has many years of experience in the city).... those have corrals and many volunteers in the corrals policing people and checking bibs. Those are the more expensive races for a reason -- all the support they have there is worth it.
I really don't expect a PR for a popular "fun" 5K like St. Patrick's Day/parade race... a race like that will draw many new runners/walkers.

That's easy to say if you have many of these races available to you. I've run hundreds of races, competitively, only 3 with corals.

Once again, easier said than done.
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Gotcha! Yeah I live in a major metropolitan area that has about 5 races every weekend.

As a very new runner/racer, it was very confusing for the first couple races. In my last ones (chip timed), they corral you according to your self reported pace. Despite me exceeding my anticipated pace 2 out of 3 times, I am completely floored at how many people race forward of me beyond their ability to sustain a pace only to fall back a mile later. I've taken to way underestimating myself for future races which are chip-timed since my position in the start has nothing to do with my time. All part of learning new things though...I still think races are a blast and cannot believe I waited so long to start.

As a very new runner/racer, it was very confusing for the first couple races. In my last ones (chip timed), they corral you according to your self reported pace. Despite me exceeding my anticipated pace 2 out of 3 times, I am completely floored at how many people race forward of me beyond their ability to sustain a pace only to fall back a mile later. I've taken to way underestimating myself for future races which are chip-timed since my position in the start has nothing to do with my time. All part of learning new things though...I still think races are a blast and cannot believe I waited so long to start.

Isn't racing awesome!!?? Welcome to the magical world of racing! It's addictive and the best high! I regret not becoming a runner until this late in life! I wish I had learned this in my teens or 20s!