From the article: Road Race Etiquette Tips
For the most part, runners are considerate at road races. But the occasional runner may demonstrate bad behaviors, such as cutting off other runners, taking more than their fair share of food at the end, or even cheating by cutting the course. What bad racing behaviors have you witnessed? Share your pet pevees about rude runners. Share Your Stories
Run Walkers
- While I have no problem with people who run walk as a their over all race plan, I cannot stand when people walk, and when someone goes to pass them, they sprint like hell, and then walk again. And sure enough as soon as you catch up to them, they sprint away again.
- —Guest Lacy
"Team" Comeptition
- I joined a local club when I started running regularly. It was very helpful, motivating -- I even met my husband through it. But I had to quit it. There are about 10 such clubs in my city and they are pretty nasty and competitive. It's a little like middle age fraternity wars where you're expected to wear your colors and shouldn't tred on another club's races. Ridiculous.
- —Guest Indpendent runner
Great Support by Local Law enforcement
- It is important to recognize the great support we get in races, especially big ones, where volunteers, and especially local law enforcement help keep spectators and cars out of the way of racing participants!
- —Guest fletzie
Road Hogs
- I'm a runner too, and I make mental notes of other runners when I see them doing something that bothers me so that I will not repeat them such as the High School runners that run through my neighborhood in the morning stretch out 5 and 6 across. Cars have to stop in both directions until they get out of the way. Very Dangerous, and can trigger road rage in some. I notice walkers have this terrible habit as well at the community park. They spread all out in a row and the runners have to leave the track and run on unstable ground to get around them. Single File People! (clap clap) Single File!
- —Guest saloncolorist
Ego & Attitude
- From the most seasoned runners to beginners, everyone needs to smile and just have fun. Races are not for intimidating others, they are for community health and support. So lace up and bring your smiles!
- —Guest Carin
stopping
- Please do not stop in the middle of the road if you are tired. I was stepped on during a race and it set me back for a couple months. The racer was approximately 12 years old and was running his first 10 km race. Not a great combination
- —stevenda
baby strollers
- I get really annoyed when the race specifically says no baby strollers allowed and people still get out there pushing their jogging strollers in the middle of an already crowded race. Keep the strollers on the sidelines please!
- —Guest runningcpa
Lining up in the wrong spot
- I get really frustrated when slower runners go right to the front of the race start, forcing all the faster runners to weave around them. It's not only inconsiderate but also dangerous because runners could fall or knock into other runners when they're trying to weave around them.
- —Guest Allison
specators on the course
- This isn't about other runners, but regarding spectators, it drives me crazy when people will walk right onto the course and make runners stop or go around them. So frustrating for runners, especially when you're tired and every little step counts.
- —Guest kirby
