Race Etiquette Question at DL Half

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

I'm running just under a 15 minute/mile pace while DH is running just under a 10 minute/mile pace. We've decided we're each going to run our own pace for the half, but when DH finishes, he would like to walk back to where I am and then finish running the race with me.

Is this allowable? Is it okay etiquette? I figure we'd be able to do the last two or three miles together this way which I would love. I'd be able to start out the race at my slower pace without getting tired out at the very beginning by trying to speed up while DH slows down (trying to match each other's paces). Yet, it would give me that extra little support for the last couple of miles when I know I'll be getting pretty tired. Has anyone else done this before?

Also, any other etiquette I should know for a half that might not be apparent to someone who has only done 5Ks? (Besides the obvious of moving to the side if slowing down or walking, not stopping in the middle of the road, etc.?)

 

[FireDancer]

At a small local race this isn't uncommon provided the person running back does so off of the course, not one it. They should also get back off of the course at least a couple of hundred feet before the finish line so they don't mess up the timing and scoring.

In a race the size of Disney I personally don't think you should do it. I've gone back and cheered on a friend from the side but once you finish you really shouldn't reenter the course.

 

[mkymsehi]

Tell your husband to do either of these two options. I will help if you both have your cell phones with you.

Once he finishes the race, call you to find out where you are. He can walk or run back through the Disney Esplanade (between the two park gates) to Harbor Blvd. Wait for you at the corner of Harbor & Disney Way, or go further back towards Anaheim Stadium. Going backwards, it's miles 13, 12, 11, and 10 to the stadium.

Once he meets up with you, he can run back with you through CA Adventure, and around the Paradise Pier and Disneyland hotels. But, he should duck out of the finisher's chute, which has barrier gates, and walk around to meet you at the family reunion area.

The shorter option is for him to finish, and then meet you at the exit of CA Adventure, and run with you around the Paradise Pier and Disneyland hotels. Again, ducking out before the finisher's chute.

Team in Training and other charity groups have coaches who do it. Doesn't bother me one bit.

I've gone back to chEar fellow WISH team members at both locations. I will walk or jog alongside to encourage them. I make sure I don't cut anyone off, or get in anyone else's way, and after a few yards or so, I duck out. If it's not good timing, I just cheer for them from the sidelines.

Hope that helps.

 

[escape]

Hey, Jeff!

After you finish the race & if you see me, come cheer/encourage me on. I may need it this year to finish! Ha!

 

[cewait]

I agree with both Frank & Jeff. For the most part Disney races are full of pinch points and not conducive to your DH circling back. (Thinking Florida races that finish coming out of a park). DL is a little different with this course since it does not enter CA on the last mile (didn't it at one time?). If it were going through CA then I would say do not do it due to the easy overloading of the course. With this course he could circle back but he will be circling a long way around and should not attempt to run backwards up the course.

Regardless, he may be challengeed by security and if so should NOT go against their instruction. Likewise, he should be self supported on the course (i.e. should not take water at the stations) and should pull off course well before the finish chute. Note that this finish chute may go all the way back up before Paradise Pier Hotel (it's the length of course that is totally fenced off)....

Finally, if the 15 minute segment of runners IS overcrowded it would be the right thing to just cheer.

From our friends at RRCA

General Rules for Running in an Event

• Follow the rules of the race outlined on the race entry form! All runners have a collective responsibility to keep the event safe. Races generally discourage running with dogs, headphones, cell phones, and jogging strollers.
• Pre-register even if same day registration is offered. This will help ease the registration process for everyone involved.
• Arrive early for the event, especially if you are picking up your number on race day. Check your registration information carefully, especially if you are racing for an award or prize money.
• Use the facilities before the race start to lessen the need once on course, and help keep the facilities clean for person in line after you.
• Pin your race number on the front of your shirt/shorts. This is where it is most visible for photographers and race officials.
• Line up according to how fast you plan to run or walk the event. Slower runners and walkers should move to the back of the race pack. Just because you arrived early does not mean you should be at the front of the starting line.
• Pay attention to the pre-race instructions. This is not the time to be blaring your favorite song on your personal music device (which should be locked in your car or at home).

Race Etiquette on Course

• If you drop something as the race starts, don’t stop and pick it up! Wait until almost everyone has crossed the starting line; then retrieve it.
• Don’t drop clothing on the course after you warm-up. If you must shed layers of clothing, tie them around your waist or place them on the side of the road where no one will trip over them. If you drop it; don’t expect to get it back.
• Run or walk no more than two abreast.
• Do not block runners coming up behind you by swerving needlessly back and forth across the course.
• If you are walking in a group, stay to the back of the pack and follow the two abreast rule.
• Bodily functions are a fact of life during a race. If you need to spit, blow your nose or throw-up, move to the side of the road and do it there. If nature calls, check for a port-a-potty, an open business, a kind neighbor along the course, or as a last resort, a discreet clump of bushes before relieving yourself.
• Move to the side if someone behind you says “excuse me” or “on you’re your right/left”. The person behind you is giving you a heads up before passing. It’s proper race etiquette to let that person pass you without blocking their effort.
• If someone in front of you is wearing headphones, and they are blocking, gently touch their elbow or shoulder as you pass to alert them to your presence.
• If you need to tie your shoe or stop for any reason (phone call, nose blow, etc) move to the side of the road and step off the course.
• Pay attention to your surroundings. The course may or may not be closed to traffic. It is your responsibility to watch for oncoming traffic!
• Yield the right of way to all police and emergency vehicles. Yield the course to wheel chair athletes, you can change direction or stop more quickly then they can, especially on a downhill.
• Don’t cheat! Don’t cut the course or run with someone else’s number.
• Enjoy your race!

Aid Station Etiquette

• When approaching an aid station to hydrate or re-fuel, move to the right and grab your fluid/nutritional needs from the volunteers or the aid tables then continue forward away from the volunteers or aid table.
• If you need to stop at an aid station step to the right side of the road and proceed to the aid station, but do not block others from accessing the aid tables or volunteers handing out fluids.
• Throw your used cup to the right side away from the course as close to an aid station as possible. Drop your cup down by your waist as opposed to tossing it over your shoulder. The person behind you may not appreciate the shower if the cup is not empty.
• Say thank you to the volunteers manning the aid station.
• If you see someone in distress on the course, report their number to the aid station and try to recall the approximate mile maker where you saw them.

Finish Line Etiquette

• If you neglected to leave your personal music device at home, now would be the most important time to remove your headphones.
• Follow the instructions of the race officials at the finish.
• If a friend or family member is running the last stretch with you and isn’t in the race, he/she should move off the course before the finish chute starts.
• Once you have crossed the finish line, keep moving forward until the end of the finish chute. Stay in finishing order if the event is not electronically timed so the finish line volunteers can remove the pull tags for scoring.
• If the event is electronically timed, be sure to return the timing tag/chip before leaving the finishers’ chute.
• Exit the chute and wait for friends or family in a central location.
• Enjoy the post-race refreshments, but remember it is not an all you can eat buffet for you and your family.
• Stay around for the awards ceremony to cheer on the overall winners along with the age group winners. Running is one of the few sports where the participants get to mingle closely with the event winners.
• Be proud of your accomplishment!

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