Walkers not welcome?

[bekkiz]

As I wrote in the weekend competition thread, I did my first 5K today and it was AWESOME!

As per my training plan, I would like to compete in a 10K towards the end of Aug./begining of Sept. Unfortunatly, lots of the 10Ks around here do not allow walkers Is this common? Lots of 5Ks allow or encourage walkers, but not many of the longer races.

I think there's a race that will allow me to walk, so I should be ok, and worse comes to worse, I guess I don't need to pay 25-40 bucks to walk a certain distance. But I do like the energy of races.

Anyone want to commiserate with me?

 

[windwalker]

As I wrote in the weekend competition thread, I did my first 5K today and it was AWESOME!

As per my training plan, I would like to compete in a 10K towards the end of Aug./begining of Sept. Unfortunatly, lots of the 10Ks around here do not allow walkers Is this common? Lots of 5Ks allow or encourage walkers, but not many of the longer races.

I think there's a race that will allow me to walk, so I should be ok, and worse comes to worse, I guess I don't need to pay 25-40 bucks to walk a certain distance. But I do like the energy of races.

Anyone want to commiserate with me?

It's not so much that they don't allow you to walk it's that they have a time limit and don't feel a walker can finish by the time limit. Most Full and Half Marathons have limits. The Disney has a liberal 7 hour limit.

I'm a walker, I went to 5K run race once and was dead last. That last place finish really inspired me to get faster so I wouldn't be last any more. I have that same race coming up agin the 28th of July, I want revenge. I will beat me some runners.

My take on it is that it's part of the challange for a walker to beat the time limits. Look at it as a goal to be able to beat any time limits the race you want to go to has.

Dave "YARC"

 

[KelNottAt]

I agree with Dave. It's just a matter of beating the time limit, not whether you do it walking or running.

My first 2 half marathons had 16 min pace requirements. Then, my third one had a 14 min requirement. I was really scared of the third race, but by having a goal in mind (and meeting it) I was able to enjoy the event even more.

Go for it! You can do it!

 

[ultramickeymouse]

Most races have to deal with road closures and volunteers being out on a course too long and that's why they have cuts or don't allow walkers.

I RD a 10K/2M that I will allow walkers to do the 10K without any cut limit. I like to get as many people up and moving as possible. I have a 10 hr cut on my 33 mile trail race to help the slower runners also.

 

[bekkiz]

Well, the good news is I checked out last year's finishing times for the one I really want to do, and I would be at the back of the pack, but wouldn't be last! So that's hopeful. (I'd be in the last 25%)

I guess my problem is that the races I was looking into have no posted cut off time, just say NO WALKERS. It made me sad Then again, I totally understand that there are so many factors when planning a race, and you need to make it as efficiant as possible. I think I was just surprised more than anything, becuase the Disney one is so up front about the requirements.

 

[windwalker]

Well, the good news is I checked out last year's finishing times for the one I really want to do, and I would be at the back of the pack, but wouldn't be last! So that's hopeful. (I'd be in the last 25%)

I guess my problem is that the races I was looking into have no posted cut off time, just say NO WALKERS. It made me sad Then again, I totally understand that there are so many factors when planning a race, and you need to make it as efficiant as possible. I think I was just surprised more than anything, becuase the Disney one is so up front about the requirements.

A lot of the running community think walkers are not good race citizens. There are some that have bad manners. Walkers and runners for that matter need to keep in mind that they are not the only ones out there.

last year another race walker here in town was racing in a 5K when a runner stopped right in the middle of the road, in a conjested race crowd, to tie her shoe. My friend fell over the top of her turning her ankle and putting her out of the race.

My lady and I always start at the back when we are in a race with runners and walkers. Then we spend the race moving up. We find it difficult when some other walkers and even slower runners are in groups spread all the way accross the road, they get upset when you try to get them to move.

My point here is that as walkers we should always show we are good race citizens, if we are going to ever get rid of the "No Walkers" allowed restriction.

Dave "YARC"

 

[ultramickeymouse]

I would say if you would finish ahead of the last runners, I would enter even if you palnned to walk. I have outwalked many runners in races. They are trying to prevent the 30 min/mile walkers who would sign up if they didn't state "no walkers". When in doubt ask the RD and tell them you would finish ahead of others.

 

[windwalker]

I would say if you would finish ahead of the last runners, I would enter even if you palnned to walk. I have outwalked many runners in races. They are trying to prevent the 30 min/mile walkers who would sign up if they didn't state "no walkers". When in doubt ask the RD and tell them you would finish ahead of others.

The hard part is to get the RD to have a walk catagory. We are fortunate here because we have several races that have a seperate walk race with awards, and a couple even have prize money.

My very favorite races are the ones that have the walkers start 5 min after the runners. Then you see how many runners you can catch. That really is a rush for a walker and great for getting a PR.

Dave

 

[DianeL]

Hey Bekkiz!

I agree with Robert in asking the RD, telling them what you figure you'd finish in and see if there were be any problems. So far I've had to contact a couple of race people with what to me were silly me questions and they were always wonderful.

I don't know how close you are to OR or if it's not such a bad drive that you might be up for one of the races put on by this club....

http://www.orrc.net/

When I was going thru the following site just curious to see if anything came up I found the above people...

http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1383201


I can't remember how I came across the active one but saved it for future searchs

I figure the Oregon one might be a drive for you but then again we just drove 4+ hours to Cincinnati to do a 10K & 5K. i'm not sure how long it took Wendy who also came from another state and I believe she had a much longer drive. Actually a few of us had to drive in for that race and in my little traveling party's case we only spent the 1 night.

Figured who knew, you might be up for a road trip

Good luck with your training and I hope you find a fun 10K to do!!!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Bekkiz, I have nothing to add to all the good info you've been given. I do want to add my best WISHes that you don't become discouraged and find those events with the time that will work for you.

 

[DisneyWalkerGirl]

I agree with the folks who say ask the RD what the time limit is....don't mention you are a walker, just get the info and thank them. If the time limit is within your capabilities, enter the race. There are so many folks out there who use a walk/run or run/walk combo that no one is going to notice if you are only walking as long as you keep to the course time limit. I have yet to enter a race of 10K or longer when I didn't see at least one runner who have went out too fast and ends up practically crawling to the finish.

I am a walker and in my races (5ks to 1/2s) I have always been able to finish ahead of folks who have entered as runners. All depends upon your pace, the course time limit and that day's competition.

As Windwalker Dave pointed out, the RDs have problems with how long they can keep a course open many times due to needing the assistance of local law enforcement, so respect that when making your decision.

 

[windwalker]

I agree with the folks who say ask the RD what the time limit is....don't mention you are a walker, just get the info and thank them. If the time limit is within your capabilities, enter the race. There are so many folks out there who use a walk/run or run/walk combo that no one is going to notice if you are only walking as long as you keep to the course time limit. I have yet to enter a race of 10K or longer when I didn't see at least one runner who have went out too fast and ends up practically crawling to the finish.

I am a walker and in my races (5ks to 1/2s) I have always been able to finish ahead of folks who have entered as runners. All depends upon your pace, the course time limit and that day's competition.

As Windwalker Dave pointed out, the RDs have problems with how long they can keep a course open many times due to needing the assistance of local law enforcement, so respect that when making your decision.

DisneyWalkerGirl, I see you are in Ohio, did you do any of the Flying Pig events in Cincinnati? Several WISH Team members went.

Erica and I live in Bowling Green Ky. We have some nice races here a lot are walker friendly. Several even have seperate walk races along with the run races. We have a good walking community here so we push for it.

bgrr.com

Our web site has a calander for events, the July 21st evening race has a 2 mile walk race as well as a 5K run race. The Labor day race is also a 2 mile walk race with nice prizes. The 10K classic has no walk catagory but cash drawings for $20,000 in cash prizes. It's also an Olympic trials qualifier race so there is usually some good runners there for the certified course.

Dave "YARC"

 

[DisneyWalkerGirl]

Dave - I live in a suburb of Columbus. Flying Pig weekend I was doing the Minnie 15K I met several wishers at that one. What a fun group!

Columbus also has a number of walker friendly events - check out RunWildRacing.com. Doug really embraces walkers and gives us our own division in nearly every race. Several others here have walker categories, but Doug is the best

I also have done John Bingham's 1/2 marathon held here each April. Great fun and well done.

 

[DianeL]

Thanks for the link DisneyWalkerGirl! Always nice to have info on even Ohio since we are not against a nice drive

if all goes well Susan and I will be in Columbus doing Mr Bingham's Flying Feather on Thanksgiving. But again that will be a quick, fly in, do the race and head out again unless we totally annoy our familes and are disowned in which case we'd then stay another night

Off to bookmark the link for future reference