Racing is inherently a solo activity. Only you can control your speed, your mind and your pain threshold.
Sure, sure you’re surrounded by thousands of other spandex clad runners, but you aren’t so much working together as simply forging ahead with lips pursed and eyes laser beamed in on the person in front of you.
So if we’re out there for ourselves, is there race etiquette to be followed? Running rules?
Not the ask miss manners white glove no snot rockets kind, but yes.
Today we’re not focusing on what to eat the night before or how to carbo-load correctly, but instead some of the first time race day tips that can help you feel more at ease with what’s about to happen.
Let’s go!
First Race Day Tips
After months of training, everyone arrives at the start line a little amp’ed up, anxious and determined. Maybe that means shuffling a little closer to the front, maybe it means nerves that require a few more bathroom breaks…maybe it means music loud enough to drown out the negative voices.
It always means thousands of people focused on their own goals, but needing to flow together for optimal enjoyment and performance.
For those fearful of lining up at their first race and those whose britches have gotten too big from being a long time runner, a few race day tips to make everyone’s experience a tad more fun and hopefully PR worthy.
Wearing the Race Shirt
What to wear on race day…well let’s talk about that race shirt.
DO feel free to wear it on race day for something like a Halloween run or a Pink event.
DON’T wear it for longer distances, it’s just an unspoken rule of “earning” the shirt.
DO wear the race shirt from the previous year if you ran to show off your veteran status.
DON’T wear race shirts from races you didn’t run.
DO race a marathon shirtless if it’s hot and it makes you feel great.
DON’T worry about what anyone else is wearing, you’ve got enough to focus on.
Listen some of these are myths and just general guidelines, so you do what feels best to you!
Race Bib Placement
Turns out this is the most forgotten item on race morning and it’s required to get your time, so place it next to your shoes or something you can’t leave without.
DO write your name on your bib for more cheers
DON’T wear your race bib on your back (you’ll get no photos)
DO wear your race bib on your shorts, IF you’ve tested this out (you can pin it to the leg or to the waistband)
DON’T pin your race bib to your skin (ewe, so gross I couldn’t even show the photo)
Using the Bathroom on Race Day
Listen runners trots happen sometimes on race day and it sucks, but embrace the bathrooms available. We aren’t winning these races (usually) so no need to poop yourself.
DO use the provided porta potties
DON’T judge those who have to use a bush because lines are too long
DO bring your own TP to the start
DON’T well seriously just don’t leave the porta potty so gross even a desperate runner won’t use it
What to do at the Start Line
DO get in your assigned corral. They have them to prevent people from getting run over and to prevent faster runners from being slowed down.
DON’T think that getting closer to the front is better. If you’re getting knocked over by people passing you the anxiety level is going to shoot up. Instead, get with folks around your pace and enjoy!
DO feed off the energy of those around you and line up with friends.
DON’T run 5 wide and make it impossible for anyone to pass your merry band.
How you start the race is huge! You don’t want to blast out of the gates and use up all your energy. So keep calm and stick to your plan.
What to do at the Finish Line
DO run all the way across both mats to get your time and best finishers photo.
DON’T get cranky with the volunteers. You might be tired,but they are unpaid help making our enjoyment possible.
DO encourage any runner you are passing with a very simple “good job” or “we got this”
DON’T assume you know why someone is walking or tell them they need to run.
What is a Running Bandit?
DO run a mile or so if a friend really needs you, unless the course is already super crowded.
DON’T hop in right after the start and hop off right before the finish. Race directors will tell you they plan support for a certain number of runners and of course most races benefit a charity, so you’re cheating them too.
How to do Water Stops in a Race
DO begin moving to the side of the water station when you see it coming up,to avoid the sprinting horizontal through traffic.
DON’T come to a complete stop, unless you like being shoved from behind.
DO slow down and walk if needed, just keep moving forward
DON’T take Gatorade at every stop (your stomach will thank you)
What to do with water cups?
DO toss your cup to the side
DON’T drop in the middle of the road for everyone else to run over (it becomes slippery).
DO look before you toss to avoid sloshing volunteers or other racers.
DON’T treat the street like a garbage can. Hold on to those gel wrappers until you see a trash area.
Flickr photo JustinDC
Taking Walk Breaks During the Race
DO move to the side.
DON’T be afraid to take them, whether it’s your race plan or just a must stop now before I die feeling.
DO look behind you to avoid slamming into someone as you move to the side.
DON’T stop mid stride in the middle of the road.
And I feel like it goes without saying, but no cutting the course short!
We’ve seen a lot of reports of this lately and it sucks for everyone involved. You’ll get blacklisted and the people who really earned a spot will be cut out and you didn’t earn it, so really how good will it make you feel.
These running rules are just scratching the surface. There’s also things like running against traffic when on the road and how you pass someone on the track. But today, we’re really just focused on how to make race day great!
Still freaking out?
Checkout this post on:
- How to manage race day nerves
- 8 ways to have your best half marathon race day
- Fueling strategy for the half marathon!
Finally a reminder that the TIME is not the only measure of a great day, so relax and enjoy the efforts of your training regardless of pace.
Any race day pet peeves you have?
Other tips you’d provide a new runner?
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Great tips. I agree that don’t assume you know why someone is walking. Maybe that encouragement would help but maybe they’re injured and you telling them to run makes them want to cry.
yup i realized that myself during an injured race, I wanted to punch everyone who was like “come on you can do it!”
Water stations- DO look down the course to see how many tables there are. The volunteers at the very front are not the only ones with water/gatorade hahah no need to ALL stop at the very first table. (I usually go to the 3rd or 4th, those volunteers get lonely!)
Great tips! I agree with just stashing trash until the finish or a trash can. There’s no need to litter and keeping the race clean is more important than a few seconds on the clock!
I’d also add that for bandits/pacers, DON’T take anything from the aid stations, whether you’re running one mile or five. If you didn’t sign up for the race, you shouldn’t be using their resources. Unfortunately, I’ve seen a lot of people break this one :(
So many great tips. I wish people would follow just a few of these and make the entire day so much more pleasant for all (including themselves!)
Great tips! The running five across thing really gets me. And thankfully, I’ve never had people be rude to me when I’ve volunteered at a race. That would really rub me the wrong way. But it seems like most runners are really great and appreciative :)
I can proudly say, “Thank you, Coach” and a few members of our Saucony 26 Honolulu group for introducing me to my first ever “peeing in the bushes” before the start :) Shhhhhhh….don’t tell anyone. I would have stood in line forever and likely not being able to have my turn before the start of the race!!
Peeves: Being in the way back of the start line and not being able to hear the announcers!!!
Other tips: We are ALL important…there doing the same thing with the same goal. To complete the race, no matter our time, run/walking, no matter our body shape!!! You are just as worthy to express your excitement for being there as anyone else.
YES. I’ve thought a lot about this. Here is my race day etiquette wish list:
https://cuckoolemon.com/2016/04/19/race-etiquette-wish-list/
These are some great tips, Amanda! Very helpful and motivating!
I can’t believe someone would try pinning their number to their skin! Yuck and ouch! One thing that I still see fairly often at races is runners pinning their number to their back. It’ll be awfully hard to find your race photos afterward. Here are a number of great race day tips for runners about to race their first half marathon: https://runningmybestlife.com/first-half-marathon-tips-race-day/
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100% agree with all tips! Would also like to add if they let strollers race and they say start at the back then please do it – it’s a pain running around all of them!
If you are running with a friend that is great but when there are several of you or a group, run to the side or in pairs or something! Nothing is worse than a large group running right through the middle and then having to go off the road on the shoulder or sidewalk to get around them.
My race day pet peeve is watching and listening to some runners cut down others around them. I listened to a group of men cutting down this woman because of her size, that they were about to past. Basically they felt anyone who was not of a certain stature or size should not sign up for these races. They also made comments at how they planned to win then race. So I decided to not stay quiet making myself pass them. As I did I yelled “shame on you. Didn’t your parents teach you how ton treat others.” Then being much shorter then they are I proceded to pass them and lose them in the dust, eventually finishing 15 minutes before them. And to teach them a lesson, I waited near the finish so they could see me and my mother bear of a facial expression.
The other pet peeve is some runners forget the race is for everyone. That no one group of people are more important than another. And everyone has a different method for getting through the distance.
For example. If some people are listening to music softly with no headphones and it is bothering a runner, move away. Don’t tell at them they are ruining your run.
I saw this occur at a recent race. A woman was wearing her phone on her arm, and I couldn’t even here the music unless I was right behind or right next to her. A group of girls go to pass her, and they slow down to berade her for daring to annoy them with her music. I paid no attention to them and told the woman to ignore them and do whatever she needs to finish the race (it was a half-marathon).
I get we all as runners have our individual needs when running, but when we sign up for a race, we have to remember to be accepting of others running habits.