Running etiquette (Read 1423 times)

OK, this was inspired by another forum, but I think it's a great subject. Etiquette for runners, especially in races. Here's my starter list: Running etiquette 1. Line up in your proper start position. If you plan on walking, or running a slow race, then line up toward the back. I'm really glad that you are doing the race, but you DO NOT have the right to line up at the front, even if you are running for charity. Honolulu Marathon runners, are you listening? 2. If you are slow and still selfishly decide to line up toward the front, then don't congregate in a big group with all your slow and chatty friends, it makes it that much harder to get around you. 3. Just because you CAN litter, does not mean that you SHOULD litter. Please dispose of your gel packs, cups and other trash at an aid station, it helps the volunteers to clean up. Ultramarathons are more strict about this--I know of a runner who completed a 100-miler, then was disqualified for discarding a banana peel. Perhaps a bit excessive, but still, there's no excuse for littering. 4. Look to your side before you spit, shoot a snotrocket, or dump your water cup, for obvious reasons. 5. Don't drop your trash right in the middle of the road--throw it to the side or preferably in the trash can. That goes for empty cups, water, banana peels, gel packs, or whatever. The runners behind you have to step on that stuff. 6. Thank the volunteers. 7. Sprinting to the finish line is fine. Passing another runner in the finishing chute is not. 8. If you encounter a new runner, pass these etiquette tips along. 9. Thank the spectators. 10. Don't brag about your fast race times. We don't care. 11. If you are doing a run-walk race, please glance behind you before you suddenly stop running, so I don't run into you.

agreed. charity run/walks are TOUGH, aren't they? i kinda wish an etiquette card came w/ every walker bib/registration. nothing against the walkers themselves, as they probably don't guess the frustration of being a runner caught behind walkers, but i do wish these points were more commonly shared before races begin.

Great reminders! I was running the NYRR Mini 10K last weekend and lined up in the 10mm. People walked across the start line in front of me and kept walking. I was still passing walkers at the 1st mile mark. So frustrating. And so true about the spitting. Especially if it's windy.

OK, good list. But what does "the finishing chute" in the following sentence mean? I'm Dutch and have difficulties translating that.

7. Sprinting to the finish line is fine. Passing another runner in the finishing chute is not.

this list is awesome! Is there anything else that newbies, like myself, should know?

how do you properly slow down during a race? also, i know that i will be pretty toasty during my upcoming run...is it okay to take a cup of water (assuming they have stations set up for an 8k) to douse on my head?

would it be okay to take 2 cups (one for drinking, one for splashing on) or would that just be greedy?

It is the ropes that attempt to keep people in a single file line after they cross the finish line. I don't think it's a big deal in a chip-timed race, but it affects order of finish in non-chip-timed races and is more than rude.

Thanks! It's clear now to me.

Nah, you can take 2--you wouldn't be the first. k

In Rotterdam (NL) there was a marathon not too long ago. The temperatures where so high that runners took water to drink and to throw over themselves. Result: slower runners had too little water. The marathon had to be stopped because some runners became sick. 14 had to be transported to the hospital, some of them were dehydrated. Of course it's not all the fault of the runners who took two cups, but fact is that there was not enough water for everyone.