Road Race Etiquette (sprinting at the end) ?
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JustRobby1 wrote: »Hello, I have a half coming up pretty soon (my first) and was curious about some thoughts on this. In most every running event that I have participated in thus far, as soon as the finish line is in sight I muster what I can and accelerate to near maximum speed to the line.
What I have noticed from doing this has been two fold. 1) I am pretty much the only person I see doing this. And 2) This has often been met with some not so hospitable looks from other people. Am I being rude?
If you're the only person doing this, other people around you are poorly coached, are ignoring their coaches, or lack coaching entirely. This is something that is taught as part of race strategy.1 -
If you have a kick left, finish strong. Don't cut anyone off, or do any shoulder blocks for position. Most of us are out there running for fun or just competing against ourselves and we really dont care if you pass us.2
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Go for it! I've never seen race/event rules that say "don't sprint to the finish line."0
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If it's labeled a "race" or it's timed with a sense of competition, I'm looking to set a PR and/or leave what I can on the course.
We all have war stories but if you're just looking to run for fun, respect those who want to challenge themselves and line up toward the back at the start. You won't need to worry about being passed, nor will racers need to worry about dodging or bumping into you. Win-win.
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I can see both sides. I'm addressing this from a typical runner's perspective, not elite and not front of the pack runners. I usually kick a little at the end of a race. That said, if you have been matching someone's pace for any length of time (they know you are back there, trust me) and you blow by them right at the finish I can see where that could be considered rude. Just another perspective...........3
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I received the same look at a race once ...... and promptly ignored it.
I was running for a PB and knew I had to dig deep to get it.
Now I was no where near the front of the pack... closer to the back third but it was my PB
I was sprinting for and didn't give a damn who I passed or who I pissed off.5 -
I always kick to the finish through the finish (distances up to half marathons)--if you have something left to give, give it all.
And I have also accidentally run into someone who stopped to take a selfie at the finish line but have run out of Fs to give.7 -
I do it every time too -- every time I can that is. I even finish my daily jogs with a sprint down the street to my house.4
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It's always inspiring to see an adult man cut off a 10 year old for 278th place.4
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The only reason I can think of why other runners wouldn't do the same thing is that they don't have enough left in the tank to do it. What kind of race would it be if people finished with more to give?0
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Run your best race without negatively impacting your competition. If there's room to pass then pass.2
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It's normal in every race I've been in to sprint finish, it is a race after all. Some people don't as they're likely simply to tired to do so. When I've raced someone to the finish line we usually congratulate each other and say thank you for providing that bit of motivation to push that last final bit. Never seen any rude looks myself.1
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lsutton484 wrote: »
I'll send you a 14 and under age-group award medal. Wear it with pride.
That would be great. Thanks I'll put it with the rest of my participation trophies.
I'm a mid to the back of the pack runner I'm not competing for place but I am competing against myself. if I could get in a few seconds faster by running past someones grandma pushing a walker without causing her physical harm then I'm gonna do it and if she rolls on by me in the last couple seconds good on her.5 -
The rude people are those who aren't aware of faster people on the course and/or don't move aside for them to easily pass.4
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