If you are passing someone in a race - should you say something or not? (Read 1608 times)

We're so friendly that even our comments about how friendly and non-competitive ultrarunners are don't come off as condescending even though we really think that road racers are immature and petulant jerks who can't appreciate the camaraderie we feel when moaning "Ghoold Joab, brotha" as we stagger, heaving and marching on, unwilling to bear the shame of a DNF and motivated into relentless forward motion by petty thoughts of the wonder that lights up in friend's and colleagues's eyes when we say, "Yes, farther than a marathon."

you are my RA hero

OK, so here is a situation coming up for me soon. I am running a 10K in a few weeks that is in conjunction with a 50K and 50 mile ultra. We start at 10 am, the ultras can start anywhere between 6 and 8 am. So I will be passing people (I hope - twould be sad if I did not) who will be 2-5 hours in to their ultra. I would assume that since I am in a much shorter race, it would not be patronizing to give a few words of "rah rah" as I pass?

OK, so here is a situation coming up for me soon. I am running a 10K in a few weeks that is in conjunction with a 50K and 50 mile ultra. We start at 10 am, the ultras can start anywhere between 6 and 8 am. So I will be passing people (I hope - twould be sad if I did not) who will be 2-5 hours in to their ultra. I would assume that since I am in a much shorter race, it would not be patronizing to give a few words of "rah rah" as I pass?

Hey, now. I would expect you to be redlining...no words should be possible when dancing on that redline!

Ennay, say "I'm just a weenie 10K runner...sorry...don't spit on me"

It's a race, not a tea party. Save the color commentary for when you cross the finish line.

I haven't had passers comment but I've passed people and I get cheered on! I love that, it gives me even more motivation! But I'm a 10mm so no way am I upfront with the contenders! I'm usually somewhere in the middle and I got run/walkers and walkers around me and my fellow 9-12mm runners which for the most part are all newbies and all very encouraging IMHO. I also love shouting out to give support as someone passes me!

I did not read the whole thread, but I think it depends on the type of race and the people. In ultras, I have come up to people, chatted with them for 15 minutes to half and hour and then kept going. In ultras I have also asked if I could pass (Single track) - Neither of these was patronizing. In marathons, I have pulled along side many times as tried to strike up just enough of a conversation to see if we could work the race course together, people usually fall into 3 categories: 1) Ignore you or make it clear to leave them alone - this is just fine. 2) They are over their head and I do not want to be part of driving them into the ground or 3) We have similar goals and are running a similar speed and match up well. Of course the deal only lasts until someone is ready to pull away. I am typically a 2:45 - 3:00 marathoner depending on my fitness, so I am not looking to talk more than a few dozen words at the initial meeting and then maybe a "How are you feeling" every few miles. In shorter races - 10 mile and under ... common practice around here is for the person being passed to say "nice job" the the passer and the passer says "thanks" The only time I would initiate if I was passing is if I knew them.