Being A Good Race Citizen

[windwalker]

Big Vic made a post about iPods/MP3s....while you are racing. I thought it might be nice if we discussed proper race manners. A WISH Team member should be a good race citizen.

Of course you don't wanna blow snot rockets on the person next to you. So just how do your do that as well as spit or even hurl cookies during a race. I know everyone here would go to the side and get off the road to be sick. But I have seen racers stop in the middle of the road and let loose.

If you are a run/walker, do not stay in the middle of the road to transition from the run to the walk, not unless you want someone to run over you.

Do not, repeat DO NOT stop in the middle of the crowd and squat down to tie your shoe. My best racewalking friend sprained her ankle when a runner stopped suddenly to tie her shoe and my friend fell over the top of her.

When you use your gels or drink your water do not just drop your cup or partially empty gel pack in the road, throw it to the side of the road. It gets pretty slippery around the aid stops by the time 10,000 people have been through ahead of you. I also hate stepping on a half full gel pack and squirting some grizzly bear looking dude next to me.

We talked about this eariler, do not walk 2,3,4,5 abreast in the middle of the road when a lot of faster people are trying to get by.

If you are slow and not sure how far back you should be, get in the back where the crowds are thinner. You are chip timed so you don't loose any time. I walk so I always go to the back if it's a run race then I'm either passing the whole race or at least not being passed.

Don't stop at the water station to get your water, at least keep walking if you stop you will get run over. If you want to take a short break while you have your water that's great, but get off to the side of the road. Then throw your cups in the trash can. That'sd the big round thing with the cups all around it.

Ok help me out here guys, let's not have first time WISH Team mates being ugly.

Going Goofy Panda

 

[DianeL]

A reminder on the cups at the water station, remember to pinch to funnel the water into your mouth so you can keep moving and drinking at the same time Plus it keeps you cleaner. Between Susan and I we've worn enough red gatorade from not pinching LOL

BE CAREFUL on the grass when passing!!! We don't want any spills. Unless you want the cute paramedics kissing said boo-boos but let's save the paramedic flirting till the end. Like say at the party Sunday night

Happy training!!!!

 

[ironz]

one more note about the aid stations: it is not usually necessary to get water from the very first table you encounter....there tends to be more crowding there, so skip a couple of tables and get your water then.

excellent post, WW!

will second the part about starting further back if you are slower. Seriously...had this going on at the local Turkey Trot....a walker (never saw her run a step) started directly under the 8 min. mile pace sign. and she wasn't the only one. You'll be happier to not have the runners plowing through you, and the faster runners will be happy not to have to dodge the runners. (and then we segue into the 3-4 abreast part).

see y'all real soon!

 

[littlegreydonkey]

Do not, no matter how cold it is at the start, hide in the portapotties to keep warm!!!! I have been at races where this happened, how on earth they managed to bear it in there I have no idea but they did!!!!

 

[cewait]

This is a great thread and I wish the program would cover the same issue. There are way too many folks who just do not know better. I am repeating some

The start will be crazy and you will be bumped, jostled and feel like your personal space is all but gone.

Line up in the appropriate spot. Don’t feel like you need to be with the elite runners, unless you are elite.

Keep no more than 2 abreast during the race. There are sections where 3 works once you hit World Drive but anywhere the race is limited to one lane keep it to two.

Keep your head on a swivel; look around before changing direction speed or stopping. Run/walkers make sure that you move to the side and are not cutting someone off as you slow.

Be consistant keeping your line and speed. Stay center course and pull in for the middle to late water stops. Make sure you are not cutting off another runner as you come in. If you are a 13-16 minute runner/walker the first stops will have a crowd while the last stop will be almost empty. Keep moving once you get your drink. Yes it’s ok to get more than one cup, though avoid taking more than one at the same table.
Ask early as you approach the tables if it’s water or PowerAde. Most stops will be water first then PowerAde but some stops did not get the memo.

If you pass the water tables and did not get water, get off course before going back.

Faster folks, announce your intentions. It does not hurt to say I am coming through on your left. Don’t get lazy and just say left as the one in front may move left.

When disposing of clothing and other trash in the corral pass it off or move over and make sure it is outside the fencing.

If you lose a shoe in the start corrals, move over to the side and wait for all to pass then retrieve your shoe. A couple years back it looked like a nasty fog induced multi car traffic mishap as a runner stopped to hunt for a shoe.

We all want our official ASI photo in front of Cinderella Castle. Do not zoom side to side so you can get as many photos as possible to choose from. Just keep a nice constant pace and line and you will more than likely be picked up by at least one photographer.

Do not be afraid to ask someone to take your photo. In 2006 I ran with a Japanese guy who wanted his photo at every mile mark. He was running much faster than me but had to wait for someone to stop for his photo. I must have had a friendly face as he caught me at mile 6 through 10. He found me again at mile 14 and we ran in together. He got his photos, I got a PR. I received a really nice card from Japan a month later thanking me for my kindness.

Stay on course. Seems obvious but every year I see folks crossing cones to get around someone or to find a clear space. The cones are there to separate us from traffic; do not endanger yourself.

As you come up to the finish, it’s ok to celebrate! Make sure that if you have been going with friends and you decide to all cross together that you are not cutting some one off at the line. Also, make your finish line photo a good one SMILE, LOOK UP and DO NOT TURN OFF YOUR TIMER OR GARMIN until past the line. You will see lots of photos with the runner looking down at his watch as he pushes the off button.

Keep moving after the line. You will continue down a chute where volunteers will be there. Look out for other runners just past the line. It is not uncommon for folks to faint. There are a group of volunteers there called catchers who will look at your eyes as you stop to see if anyone is still there. Past the line you will stop for chip removal, a mylar blanket, and of course a medal. From there it’s a line to get a photo, food and drink and then the checked bag tent.

WISH folks are becoming a large presence at the race. Please ask your supporters to cheer for all runners out there. The purple jersey supporters tend to ignore non-purple jersey runners. (ok this is a very personal pet peeve but its hard to think otherwise when you are running along at mile 18 seeing a group of folks standing silently along the course only to hear the cheer loudly for a group of purple jersey a little behind you ….off soap box)

Please, please make sure to say thank you to a volunteer.

 

[cdn_gal_eeyore]

Those tips are all wonderful, thanks Charles!

 

[Dennyha]

When I'm in the latter part of a race, I like to say "Thanks" as I pass volunteers, or someone who is on the side cheering on runners. It shows our appreciation, and it keeps my mind off of how tired I am.

 

[Honeibee]

Gosh these are great suggestions! Thanks very much!

And Charles, I'd just like to point out that some people like to wait until after they have gone thru the chute and gotten their medal and found their WISH team, then they faint.

 

[Sandy321]

I'm getting all teary-eyed just able to picture this - I know its only a half marathon, but gosh golly geewhiz, IF I can get through this it will be a personal milestone..

I am nervous that I'll be swept outside the gates of the MK - the weather here is too cold, and I dont have cold gear...

I liked the line above about passing - I hope I'll be near enough forgiving WISH team members to help me out!!

My first race ever in a 5K in Chicago really confused me - people were screaming left and pass on left - stay left - I couldnt figure it out, so I stayed in the center thinking no one could miss this fat slow chic that was out of her mind!! (I always thought people should pass on the left so I tried to stay right, but the 10K went right - so it all helped to confuse me!)

 

[scoolover]

When you stop to pee on the side of the road, please keep the shorts above the ***, especially if it's hairy. (ladies, disregard)

 

[cewait]

When you stop to pee on the side of the road, please keep the shorts above the ***, especially if it's hairy. (ladies, disregard)

Look before you go as a squatter could be there also. It seems to be a cultural thing to pull off the side of the road just after teh start on the Red course (and equal opportunity )

One for the Blue runners, wait until after mile 1 to pull to the side. You have a spectator area on the side of the road for the first mile.

 

[JimB.]

Unless you want the cute paramedics kissing said boo-boos

Ummmmm. That would be me. (At least the paramedic part. And hopefully my DW thinks I'm still cute )

But since I'm running the 1/2, I'll only be kissing the boo-boos on the full this year.

 

[HMHunters]

Look before tossing your water cup to the side of the road, especially if it still has water in it. Last year I drank half my water and tossed the cup to the side and dowsed a spectator! Good thing it was hot and he was a young kid who didn't mind!

 

[Cruella de mom]

Another reminder for the finish: Don't run in behind two really big guys with their shirts off and tatoos evrywhere. It makes for a whole series of lousy pictures.

And Dh wants me to add that it is polite to wait to throw up until you are past the finish line photographers. You might spoil someone else's finish pictures. He prefers you not throw up on the guy that is trying to remove your chip as well. Picky picky picky...

 

[tigger2esq]

thanks for the great post. the walkers who walk 6 abreast are the ones that drive me a little crazy. please split into groups of 2s!!

and I am always nice and say "approaching on your left" rather than just yelling "left". I just think its way more polite and less ambiguous to the person you are speaking to!


but most of all, be nice and say hello to your fellow racers. I am not one to be overly chatty but in my last 1/2 I was having a rough time near the end (it was about 95 degrees and about as humid as you can imagine...) and a fellow runner came up behind me and struck up a conversation to help keep me moving. it was well appreciated.

 

[10nis]

WOW! This is such a great thread....maybe someone can post it on the marathon website so all the runners can be enlightened Alot of this has already been mentioned so I am adding seconds and thirds--

--biggest pet peeves--

*2 or more people running together abreast*

*"coaches" cheering for runners that only wear purple shirts - goodness, doesn't everyone deserve to be cheered on*

*walkers not staying over to the side (preferably to the right). If you are a runner who does a 5/1 or 10/1.....scooch over to the right when you are going to start your walking segment*

--nice things you can do as a runner--

*THANK the volunteers!* don't forget the bands and cheerleaders! So many great employees at the parks, too.

*strike up a conversation w/ the other runners -- makes the time go by quickly and it is fun!!* (yes, there are some runners who don't chat - you will know right away if a fellow runner isn't in to chatting!)

*spit-blow your nose-really, dispose of all body fluids, OFF of the race course!!!*

*Don't get in anyone elses finish line photo. This is a difficult one...it is so emotional and really, the last thing I think about is the finish photo -- that is why there are always random people in my finish photo!*

The experience has been fun for me--but, I am NOT there for a "PR!!" Enjoy it.

 

[Cruella de mom]

*"coaches" cheering for runners that only wear purple shirts - goodness, doesn't everyone deserve to be cheered on*

Yes, Everyone deserves to be cheered on. The coaches do not mean to be selective. The coaches I know are serious runners that want to share the love of running with anyone willing to try. They are volunteers that give up every saturday for 6 months to help 30 to 40 new runners train for a marathon. The coaches I know would LOVE to cheer for each and every one of you.

However, they have a HUGE job on race day. They are standing there trying to find their particular runners out of a sea of 2000 purple shirts. Once all their runners at that spot, they run (literally) cross country to a location farther on the course and check all their runners at that spot.

Last year my coach had 15 runners whose times ranged between a 3:15 marathon and a 6:59 marathon. She started the race with our fastest runner to keep him from going out too fast. She stopped at mile 5 to make sure the rest of us were off to a good start. Then she made her way to mile 19 & got there just in time to see her first runner pass. She ran with me from mile 19 to 20 then doubled back to meet my teammates who were struggling. She ran them to the Med tent, made sure they were being taken care of, then went back to check on the rest of runners.

She was one of about 30 TNT coaches that pushed an entire wave of runners ahead of the sweepers at mile 20. Granted, those runners were mostly in purple. (She had also run the entire half with a participant who was suffering with cramping the entire race)

Not only that, but she was also helping the Atlanta coaches encourage their 20 runners. Runners she didn't know. She only knew them by the silly looking peach on their purple jerseys. *I train with the "northside" group not the Atlanta group. Technically, both groups are in Atlanta but that is where all similarity ends.

I know her well, she would have loved to cheer for everyone, but she was really busy and really stressed. Cheering only for purple was simply a reaction to looking for peaches on purple jerseys.

Her garmin said she had run 18 miles that day. Plus 13 for the half. She tried to refuse the medals at the finish but when they insisted she take them, she donated them to the LLS to give to children with cancer.

So try to understand when the coaches in purple look past you. It really isn't meant to be exclusive.

Sorry. I will step off my soap box now.

 

[cewait]

Yes, Everyone deserves to be cheered on. The coaches do not mean to be selective. The coaches I know are serious runners that want to share the love of running with anyone willing to try. They are volunteers that give up every saturday for 6 months to help 30 to 40 new runners train for a marathon. The coaches I know would LOVE to cheer for each and every one of you.

However, they have a HUGE job on race day. They are standing there trying to find their particular runners out of a sea of 2000 purple shirts. Once all their runners at that spot, they run (literally) cross country to a location farther on the course and check all their runners at that spot.

Last year my coach had 15 runners whose times ranged between a 3:15 marathon and a 6:59 marathon. She started the race with our fastest runner to keep him from going out too fast. She stopped at mile 5 to make sure the rest of us were off to a good start. Then she made her way to mile 19 & got there just in time to see her first runner pass. She ran with me from mile 19 to 20 then doubled back to meet my teammates who were struggling. She ran them to the Med tent, made sure they were being taken care of, then went back to check on the rest of runners.

She was one of about 30 TNT coaches that pushed an entire wave of runners ahead of the sweepers at mile 20. Granted, those runners were mostly in purple. (She had also run the entire half with a participant who was suffering with cramping the entire race)

Not only that, but she was also helping the Atlanta coaches encourage their 20 runners. Runners she didn't know. She only knew them by the silly looking peach on their purple jerseys. *I train with the "northside" group not the Atlanta group. Technically, both groups are in Atlanta but that is where all similarity ends.

I know her well, she would have loved to cheer for everyone, but she was really busy and really stressed. Cheering only for purple was simply a reaction to looking for peaches on purple jerseys.

Her garmin said she had run 18 miles that day. Plus 13 for the half. She tried to refuse the medals at the finish but when they insisted she take them, she donated them to the LLS to give to children with cancer.

So try to understand when the coaches in purple look past you. It really isn't meant to be exclusive.

Sorry. I will step off my soap box now.

I agree with you 100% and in fact I have had more than a few purple coaches run with me, talk with me and assist in other ways including the one handing out ice at the Beach Club last year.... These guys are great fun and always good for a couple wise cracks on the run.

I do still take issue with the spectators as I stated in my previous post and challenge WISH spectators to root for all runners. PLease have your support folks yell for all runners as they pass.

Here is how to do it. Really this dieserves another thread....

How to spectate

Yell for everyone as they pass.

Your hands may hurt so consider a bell or something like the sonic tubes you see at games.

Meet the runner’s eye by calling one out specifically. All runners will have their name on their bib. They may not see or hear you until thy pass.

If you can’t see their name, call them by shirt color, logo on the shirt, or other distinguishing feature. (Yes I have heard way to go gray hair and loved it..but it came from an older guy)

High fiving works as a motivator but understand that runners are just a little sweaty so if that grosses you out avoid it. You may also be used as a coat hanger if it’s early in the race.

Say something uplifting - Looking good, way to go, keep it up, nice job…
Or say something that may help out – Water around the next corner, your almost at mile xx. (Just be sure that you are telling the truth)

One of the more uplifting spectators I have noted is a guy named Don. He finishes quickly and comes back on course holding his medal. His calm reassurance of why you are out there got me through my first couple marathons. Runner’s you can also spectate.

Avoid, Almost there, it’s just another couple miles (at mile 10), looking good (if they are really struggling), etc.

Try to keep your energy high.

Stay off the course

Look very carefully when crossing the course and only cross when allowed in high traffic areas. (it is really difficult to stop, change directions, etc at mile 25 and I tend to have a real bite me attitude at that time….you may get run over).

Above all, do not comment on how bad a runner may look as they pass….yes the runner does have ears and may hear your comment and lose whatever internal drive they had.

If you as a spectator see a runner with real issues, note the bib number and time. A medical volunteer on a cycle is generally within 10-20 minutes of where you are standing. Flag him down and let him know what your saw.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Great suggestions.

I think most everything has been suggested.

I always make sure I try to thank the volunteers and especially the little kids. We want them back for years to come.

 

[gatorphipps]

Yes, Everyone deserves to be cheered on. The coaches do not mean to be selective. The coaches I know are serious runners that want to share the love of running with anyone willing to try. They are volunteers that give up every saturday for 6 months to help 30 to 40 new runners train for a marathon. The coaches I know would LOVE to cheer for each and every one of you.

However, they have a HUGE job on race day. They are standing there trying to find their particular runners out of a sea of 2000 purple shirts. Once all their runners at that spot, they run (literally) cross country to a location farther on the course and check all their runners at that spot.

Last year my coach had 15 runners whose times ranged between a 3:15 marathon and a 6:59 marathon. She started the race with our fastest runner to keep him from going out too fast. She stopped at mile 5 to make sure the rest of us were off to a good start. Then she made her way to mile 19 & got there just in time to see her first runner pass. She ran with me from mile 19 to 20 then doubled back to meet my teammates who were struggling. She ran them to the Med tent, made sure they were being taken care of, then went back to check on the rest of runners.

She was one of about 30 TNT coaches that pushed an entire wave of runners ahead of the sweepers at mile 20. Granted, those runners were mostly in purple. (She had also run the entire half with a participant who was suffering with cramping the entire race)

Not only that, but she was also helping the Atlanta coaches encourage their 20 runners. Runners she didn't know. She only knew them by the silly looking peach on their purple jerseys. *I train with the "northside" group not the Atlanta group. Technically, both groups are in Atlanta but that is where all similarity ends.

I know her well, she would have loved to cheer for everyone, but she was really busy and really stressed. Cheering only for purple was simply a reaction to looking for peaches on purple jerseys.

Her garmin said she had run 18 miles that day. Plus 13 for the half. She tried to refuse the medals at the finish but when they insisted she take them, she donated them to the LLS to give to children with cancer.

So try to understand when the coaches in purple look past you. It really isn't meant to be exclusive.

Sorry. I will step off my soap box now.

It is not the coaches I thought everyone was talking about...The people I thought everyone was refering to were spectators...they are not on the course. But only yell for people in purple. I would never expect a TNT coach to yell for me. They are busy!
My good friend Ricky was a coach for TNT when I ran my 1st marathon. He ran in the 1/2 and logged over 20+ miles with TNT runners.
I did not really experience this, this year though. Lots of people yelled my name and I really thought it was nice.

The only thing that gets on my nerves is when people walk/run 5,6 people across. Or stop to walk or tie their shoe in the middle of the path....but, again, I really did not experience this in 07. Running WDW for me was like running a marathon I had never run before...even though I had already run 3. I think it was b/c I was almost 1 hour ahead of my pace from the following years.