Don’t Be An Idiot: Running Etiquette & General Tips
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We called out to our readers via twitter, reddit and facebook to answer a simple question:
What are the things other runners do, or forget to do, that drives you crazy?
The response was huge! That’s why we are now dedicating an entire article about this matter.
Here are the top responses we received from you, our readers.
The no-no’s of running
- Lining up at the front of the race and then running slower than a baby can crawl.
- Abruptly stopping during a race. Move to the side first!
- Running without recovery days, and then complaining about getting injured.
- Not returning greetings or simple nods when passing another runner.
- Don’t bring your untrained dog to a race.
- “I just started running. Can I run a marathon in 6 weeks?”
- If you must spit or blow your nose please do so at the back of the pack.
- Runners, don’t run WITH traffic. (Are you crazy?)
- Don’t be a jerk when talking about your pace. (Check out these cartoons)
- Cutting other runners off & slowing down.
- Throwing drinks at the feet of the runners behind you.
Act like a grown-up and throw it in the bin a few paces down the road. - Not paying attention to traffic or signals: It makes us all look bad.
- Ignoring injuries and trying to ‘run through’ them.
- If you use someone’s mp3-player / gps-tracker, recharge the batteries!
- Don’t group-hog the entire road/trail width! Let others pass.
- Being unaware of your surroundings. Does your music have to be that loud? Really?
- Stopping IMMEDIATELY after the finish line. Keep going a few meters to get out of the way.
- Don’t give advice without being asked. This holds true to most sports.
- Bitching about what’s better: Minimal, barefoot or simple running shoes.
Choose your own poison and enjoy yourself. - Not thanking the volunteers.
- If you must, then at least look before you spit.
- Don’t be an elitist *insert inappropriate word*. Whether people run 2 miles or 50 miles a week, they’re runners.
- If the track is very busy, don’t run upstream.
- If you have a bad case of the tummy demons, it’s nice to move to the back of the line as to not poison the rest of the group behind you.
- Play nice. Follow the track rules, and don’t be arrogant when someone points out those rules. Crowded tracks need a set of standards to avoid injuries.
- Don’t cheat races.
- Inside lanes on tracks are for fast runners.
- Don’t literally push people forward when the starting gun has fired.
- Don’t complain about the workout of your group / partner.
- If running with someone slower, don’t pressure them to speed up.
- When you’re running on trails with your dog, clean up its mess.
Do you have any other annoyances or tips, don’t hesitate to comment below.
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Unguided snot rockets.
I second the unacknowledged greeting to fellow runners. Sometimes I get so annoyed I give myself a return greeting while passing the other runner purposely loud enough for the other to hear.
throwing water cups ALL OVER the place at a race……is my number on and running 2 or 3 abreast on road or sidewalk…..and not yeilding to other runners ( but worse when they do it to non-runners thus branding all runners as asses…
I know no one will ever read this so here it goes:
I don’t mind people who run/walk, however please don’t stop right in front of me after passing me. Next time I will just crash into your ass. Control your dogs. Control your CHILDREN. I have had them stop infront of me, turn around, and go the other way!
I also find it really annoying when people give me a hard time for not running a “marathon” when they walked 1/2 of it. I am too polite to say “Neither have you”. It also makes it suck because I know many people who run/walk and I am proud of their accomplishments but those others are just as bad as “elite” runners.
I wish people just looked out for one another more. I want to do my best too, but that doesn’t mean I try to block faster runners or cut off slower runners.
I get tired of chatty cathy’s who NEVER shut up on a run. If you want a social hour, go do that, but if you are in a race shut up! (I’m not talking about supportive talk…I mean those who talk about Aunt Jane’s diarrhea and Uncle Bob’s new car and last year’s summer vacation). You are usually the ones who won’t move over to let faster people through because you are oblivious to our “excuse me coming through”.
Whew! I feel better! And usually I have a good experience…these are just momentary beefs that have crossed my mind!
All terrific comments, except worrying about who picks up their feet or runs too hard. Musn’t be an elitist or control freak.