Quotes for Funny Marathon Spectator Signs

Support marathon runners with some humor

oston Marathon 2013 crowd signs: 1:You made it to the start, you will make it to the finish.2:Hurry the British are coming!3:Man this was wicked far, but you're almost there.4:Lets go back on my feet.

Matthew Stein / Getty Images

Marathon runners love to read signs along the race course to help break the monotony. If you're planning on watching a marathon, make some signs—the runners will love you for it.

Importance of Spectator Support in Marathons

Research suggest that the brief moments of encouragement from spectators during long-distance running events can help runners stay motivated. It can also be a positive experience for the spectators on the sidelines, helping them feel connected to the event.

Additionally, funny or inspirational signs can bring smiles and studies suggest that smiling while running may actually help improve performance. A study published in 2018 in the journal Psychology of Sport and Exercise found that runners who smiled during vigorous running actually had lower oxygen consumption, better running economy, and lower perceived effort than runners who frowned while exerting themselves.

How to Select Funny and Inspirational Quotes

If you have a friend or loved one running the race, try to find a funny line or inspirational quote that they might appreciate. Try to pick something that aligns with their typical humor or that you are fairly confident they will enjoy.

It can also help to just think about what you might want to see during a race. Regardless of what you choose, you just never know who you might inspire or how you might bring them an added boost.

Funny Marathon Spectator Sign Quotes

Funny spectator signs are always a good distraction.

Here are some ideas:

  • "Your feet hurt because you are kicking so much butt!"
  • "Your legs will forgive you...eventually."
  • "Don't stop -- people are watching."
  • "Worst Parade Ever"
  • "Chafe now...brag forever."
  • "You've got stamina! Call me!"
  • "Hurry up, we're missing brunch"
  • "Run like you stole something."
  • "Smile if you're not wearing underwear"
  • "This is a lot of work for a free banana"
  • "Hurry up...beer misses you!"
  • "Punch here for power" (with a bullseye)
  • "You could have chosen chess"
  • "Blisters are Braille for awesome"
  • "I'd rather eat 26.2 pizzas."
  • "You're not slow. You're just enjoying the course."
  • "Stop reading this and keep running!"
  • "Beat Oprah!"
  • "Puke and rally!"
  • "Don't worry, toenails are overrated."
  • "Run like someone's chasing you."
  • "You run marathons...I watch them on Netflix"
  • "Run faster...I just farted."
  • "Sweat is sexy."
  • "If it was easy, I would do it."
  • "Always give 100%! Except when giving blood"
  • "May the course be with you!"
  • "Hurry up! People are waiting for you!"
  • "Humpty Dumpty had wall issues, too!"
  • "Hotties and burgers at the finish"
  • "WTF? (Where's The Finish?)"
  • "Staying up all night making this sign was hard, too."
  • "Turn around! It's a trap"
  • "Run like a fugitive"
  • "You don't have to run tomorrow!"
  • "You've come this far...you might as well finish!"
  • "Run! There's a cute guy in front of you and a creepy guy behind you."
  • "Free hugs if you're not wearing underwear"
  • "You are NOT almost there." (seen at mile 1)
  • "Go Random Stranger, Go!"
  • "I thought this was a 'Law and Order' Marathon!"
  • "Because 26.3 would be crazy"
  • "There is no app for this, keep running."
  • "The end is near." (Sign held by man dressed as the Grim Reaper at mile 21 of the 2010 Marine Corps Marathon, which was on Halloween)
  • "Whine now, wine later"
  • "If you really loved me, you'd run faster!"
  • "Black toenails are sexy"
  • "Smile, you're still faster than all the people behind you"
  • "Don't F@#& It Up!"
  • "Your shoelaces are untied!"
  • "Ice baths and cookies at the finish!"
  • "Run as if a hand just reached out of the ground and grabbed your ankle!"
  • "Take a cab. It's faster!"
  • "Run like you're chasing squirrels!" (with a photo of a dog)
  • "Run Forrest Run!"
  • "No one made you do this!"
  • "This parade is going too fast...where are the floats?"
  • "Hey marathoners, hurry up! The half marathoners are eating all the food!”
  • "You're almost there! (That's what SHE said!)"
  • "You're going the wrong way!"
  • "Only 26.1 miles to go!"
  • "Smile if you're not wearing underwear!"
  • "Run!! Zombies are chasing you!"
  • "Run like someone just called you a jogger."
  • "5 to 1 you hurl before this is over"
  • "Smile if you peed a little"
  • "I'm just trying to cross the street!"
  • "May the course be with you" (with a picture of Yoda)
  • "High Fives $5"
  • "Think this is hard? Try growing out bangs!"
  • "Hey Stranger, I'm cheering for you!"
  • "Take the subway...it's faster!"
  • "Run like your iPhone is at 1%!"
  • "Mortuary ahead....look alive!"
  • "Run easy. You're not going to win!"
  • "If I ran it, by God, you can, too."
  • "Chuck Norris never ran a marathon."
  • "$100 bills at finish! Just kidding...keep running!"
  • "It'll feel better when it stops hurting."
  • "We won't tell anyone you cried"
  • "Hurry, they're running out of food at the finish line."
  • "All toenails go to heaven"
  • "Smile! Remember you paid to do this!"
  • "I thought it said 2.62 miles"
  • "This marathon would be fun if it weren't for the running" 

Funny Marathon Signs for Kids

If your kids are cheering for their mom, dad, teacher, or other special marathoner, here are some funny signs for them to hold.

  • "Hurry up, Mom! We're hungry...and dirty!"
  • "My mom runs faster than your mom!"
  • "My mommy woke up full of awesome!"
  • "Not just strong...mommy strong!"
  • "My dad is crazy fast"
  • "Hurry, we want to go to Magic Kingdom!" (seen at Disney marathon)

Etiquette and Considerations for Spectators

There are some things to keep in mind to make sure you are respectful and considerate of the racers and other spectators:

  • Make a plan for where you'll be along the course. Let runners know roughly where you will be. This can be a particular mile marker with distinctive scenery or buildings nearby. Also, be sure to specify which side of the course you'll be on. It's also helpful to track runners with digital devices whenever possible to be prepared for when they'll be running by.
  • Stay to the side. Resist the urge to step on any part of the course or push your sign out above it. You don't want to get in the way of any runners and force them to divert around you or your sign. If you find you are having difficulty seeing over other spectators, move a bit along the course to find a better cheering spot.
  • Keep comments positive. Don't heckle any runners who are walking or say things such as "go faster" or "you can pass that guy." Stay positive and supportive of everyone who is participating in the marathon. A simple "great job" or clap will do. You can lift the spirits of many and also just enjoy the event more yourself.

Bottom Line

Funny or inspirational signs can help give marathon runners a boost and help them stay motivated. It can also be a fun experience to cheer on all the participants and be part of an endurance event as a spectator. Enjoy it.

2 Sources
Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Bi T, Bianchi-Berthouze N, Singh A, Costanza E. Understanding the shared experience of runners and spectators in long-distance running events. In: Proceedings of the 2019 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. ACM. 2019;461:1–13. doi:10.1145/3290605.3300691

  2. Brick NE, McElhinney MJ, Metcalfe RS. The effects of facial expression and relaxation cues on movement economy, physiological, and perceptual responses during runningPsychology of Sport and Exercise. 2018;34:20-28. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2017.09.009

By Christine Luff, ACE-CPT
Christine Many Luff is a personal trainer, fitness nutrition specialist, and Road Runners Club of America Certified Coach.