Running Etiquette: 2008 March 25, 2008
Posted by anton in : Observations , trackbackFolks in my generation, when they come up against something new, often take out their false teeth and mutter something about Bob Dylan and “The Times They Are a Changing.”
Put the choppers back in and listen to some newer Dylan…”Things Have Changed.”
Running Etiquette: 2008
(Note: I’ve seen the examples I’m using and they are noted this way: (Disney)
Headphones:
ipods, and all the geegaw that goes with them. Even though the USA Track and Field, Road Runners Club of America, USAT and goodness knows how many running clubs clearly forbid their use, you’re going to continue to use them and hope you don’t get DQ’d. Yes, you can get DQ’d. You really should read the race literature.
Since you’re going to use them: Be more mindful of those around you and don’t let yourself slide into some Gnarls Barkley haze, ignoring those other runners around you. Look before you leap. If it’s heavy “traffic” point where you want to go. If you have to search for your “power song”, don’t slowdown or stop in the middle of the road. Move off to the side. Keep the volume reasonable so you don’t miss important stuff, like the ambulance coming up behind you. (Disney) If the crowd of runners around you suddenly parts, it’s not because they are in awe of you. It’s because they are getting out of the way of something you can’t hear. (Disney, MCM, Ironman) Please pay attention. If you get DQ’d for using a music player of some sort, don’t complain. You knew the job was dangerous when you took it.
Cell Phones:
The NTSB has stated that on average, automobile drivers slow down three to five miles per hour when on their cell phones.
The same appears to be true of runners. If you receive a call or have to place a call mid race, again, pull to the side. You WILL slow down and it’s quite annoying to those running behind you. (JFK 50 Mile, Disney, MCM, oh heck…every race I go to) Even though your loved one may be at an aid station five miles ahead waiting for you, and you wish to let them know…don’t yell into your phone. They’ll be able to hear you just fine. Those runners without earphones don’t want to hear you yelling half a conversation. If you have a phone with you and you see a problem, such as a runner down, use it!
Cell phones music devices and anything you carry for that matter:
Hold on to that stuff! I’ve seen nasty accidents involving faces smashed onto pavement and blood and busted knees, because someone dropped their electronic device of choice and stopped on a dime, only to be bowled over by three or four people behind them. (MCM, Disney, JFK and a bunch of short races)
Dogs:
Never appropriate to run with your hound in a race. Ever. It’s not safe for other runners and it’s not safe for your pooch. (National Marathon, Frederick Marathon, shorter races) I used to love the old Triathlantic Races where Brad would DQ you for even bringing one to the race site.
Read the race Literature:
It’s full of great advice and information you need to know like how long the race is and where it stops. It will also clearly outline what is acceptable and what is not on race day. If the information says “No baby carriages/strollers” it also means your three wheeled baby jogger, even if you are using it as a rolling aid station for you and six of your friends. (MCM)
If the literature says “Pacers strongly discouraged” it means it. Please tell your friends it’s not ok to run the last ten miles of your race with you.
(MCM, JFK, Ironman) It adds to the crowd, they aren’t covered under race insurance if something goes all wrong, and frankly, you should be able to do this on your own. Tell them to sign up and run with you next year.
Finally, the etiquette you should already know:
If you missed a time cut off, be gracious. Don’t argue with the Race Director. (JFK, Cat 50K, Disney, for crying out loud!) Train harder and smarter and come back next year.
Always smile and say thank you to the volunteers.
Always be helpful to other runners.
Don’t run in the shirt you get for showing up to packet pick up.
Number goes on the front.
RD’s: The horse is out of the barn. You guys need to decide how you’re going to handle the new etiquette. Stop making an issue of some of this stuff or start DQing folks who do break the rules. If you DQ one, you have to DQ them all. Restrict everything, or let it all go.
Disclaimer: I never run with head phones, even if they are attached to my ipod. I carry a phone on long training runs but never in a race. I read the literature and don’t own a dog.
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