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So apparently i'm a snooty runner. Ahh!

kaos16kaos16 member
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I ran a 5k over the weekend.  It was a women only event that I did with my mom, sisters and niece for Mother's Day.  A friend was asking me about it today, and I explained to him how it was a really pretty course, but very hilly.  I also mentioned that there were a lot of non-runners, or ladies who only come out for the event which is frustrating because I am super competitive and run to try to get a personal best every time I race.  I mentioned that I wish the women who wanted to walk, or stop to take selfies in the middle of the race, chat with spectators, etc. would stay to the right so that people who really wanted to run could pass on the left.  He said I was a snooty runner!  LOL.  I guess it's kind of an obnoxious comment that I made, but really, I'm not sorry!
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Re: So apparently i'm a snooty runner. Ahh!

  • ashley8918ashley8918 member
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    edited May 2015
    Every 5k that I've done has been untimed and primarily walkers. The runners just ran around... didn't seem to be at all difficult.
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  • ashley8918ashley8918 member
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    peachy13 said:

    I don't know... I run a lot of 5ks and feel like 5ks are fun runs. NOT that I think running a 5k is fun. But it's laid-back. Some people are walking. There are strollers. There are selfies. It's not super competitive. And no offense, but the people who get really serious and intense over these runs need to calm down.

    Agreed. I've never participated in/heard of one that was super serious. People who get all huffy behind me because I am walking actually really piss me off. Go participate in a more seriosu run (i.e. Not the Ditka Dash or Blacklight run) or STFU, and go around me.
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  • cupcait927cupcait927 member
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    I don't think your comment was snooty at all. It's a safety issue, more than anything else. It's fine if you want to walk, take your time - any level of participation is great. However, they need to be mindful of people who are running and want to do the very best they can. H is an avid runner and he's still shooting for a sub 20 minute 5k. If he had to dodge around every person who just randomly stopped in the middle of the course, he'd never get there and would get understandably frustrated. Plus it's dangerous - if a mom had her baby in a stroller out there and decided to whip around to talk to someone, someone running could trip or fall over the stroller.

     

    @peachy13 I don't think saying that people who get serious and intense over a 5k need to calm down is a fair statement. Like I said, H is a runner. It's his thing and he has a certain goal in mind for himself. There's only so many 5ks in a season and he shouldn't be stopped from trying to reach that goal just because other people on the course are more laid-back about it. These runs are for people of all levels and he respects that but at the same time, he wants to be able to achieve his goals as well.

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  • lacqueredloverlacqueredlover member
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    I feel like most 5K's are either "themed" or for a charity so of course most of the people aren't serious runners.  I'm in pretty good shape but running is hard for me because of a knee injury so I kinda jog a 5K when I do them.

    My friends who are more hardcore about it just make sure they are there super early so they are at the front of the starting line to actually compete and therefore are ahead of us lowly walkers/joggers.  I just meet them after for brunch haha
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  • climbingsingleclimbingsingle member
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    Eh, it's a 5k, not a marathon. That's pretty much how I'd expect a 5k to be. 
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  • ashley8918ashley8918 member
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    I mean, I guess I don't understand why you don't just get there at the earlier start time for runners that most of these things have? If a particular race isn't doing that, it's obvisously not a race for you.
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  • kaos16kaos16 member
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    5ks are basically where I max out in terms of "competitive running" because my back just can't handle longer distances.  I would love to be able to run half marathons or marathons, but structurally I just can't.  So to me, it's the longest competitive race I can do (although I am going to try a 10k next month).  With that being said, I think it's amazing when people of different ages and fitness levels want to participate because it is an approachable distance.  I'm just saying that staying to the right, or at least being aware of who is trying to run past you wouldn't kill anybody!
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  • daria24daria24 member
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    I bitch about the same thing all the time, but it depends on the race. Here in NYC, any race put on by NYRR or NYC RUNS is going to be competitive, from the 1 mile races and up. But if it's a Color Run, or a charity run/walk, you have to understand the culture of the race, and that the culture may be more fun run than race to the finish.


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  • ashley8918ashley8918 member
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    KatieinBkln said:

    I think people can keep the "fun run" vibe while also staying to the right.


    Although honestly a race that isn't already sending people in waves based on their speed is probably not terribly competitive in the first place, so there's that.

    I can't imagine what would cause a person to want to take a selfie mid-race. Pre- and post-race shots are just as good to plaster on social media. No one is gonna accuse you of not actually participating if you don't take an "action shot."

    Whatever, I'm an asshole about selfies and people being in the way in general. EVERYONE BE CONSIDERATE OK THANKS.
    Eh, like I said, in my experience, these races are primarily walkers. It's not all that easy for 90% of the participants to stay to the right.

    People walking are not "in the way". They are participating to the best of their ability/in the way they want.
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  • kaos16kaos16 member
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    ashley8918 said:

    I mean, I guess I don't understand why you don't just get there at the earlier start time for runners that most of these things have? If a particular race isn't doing that, it's obvisously not a race for you.

    Interesting, I have never seen a 5k near me that has an earlier time for runners and a later time for walkers. . . . didn't know that was a thing.
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  • ashley8918ashley8918 member
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    JUST RUN AROUND THEM. If you don't see a way around, slow your roll for a second and say excuse me. It is really super not complicated.
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  • ashley8918ashley8918 member
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    kaos16 said:

    5ks are basically where I max out in terms of "competitive running" because my back just can't handle longer distances.  I would love to be able to run half marathons or marathons, but structurally I just can't.  So to me, it's the longest competitive race I can do (although I am going to try a 10k next month).  With that being said, I think it's amazing when people of different ages and fitness levels want to participate because it is an approachable distance.  I'm just saying that staying to the right, or at least being aware of who is trying to run past you wouldn't kill anybody!

    Okay, but it sounds like the run you did was not at all a "competitive race". It was a fun run.
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  • lovemesomemonsterlovemesomemonster member
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    I will say that I feel your frustration, I generally don't think I'm going to beat any time when I do these races because most people are going to walk and are just there for fun. With that being said, I did bloomsday with my mom last weekend which is 7.5 miles and it is huge (I think there were close to 50K participants). It is a competitive race but they do sections based on mile times. I walk it with mom so we are back in the 15min/mile section and some people do still jog some of it. Even with signs all over the course saying to walk toward the right and jog on the left people spread out all over the place and runners are dodging the walkers. Even with the size of this race which is not your typical 5K size there is always plenty of room to stay to the right because the whole road is closed but the groups that came with 10 people seem to want to walk side by side. Yes they are fun runs, yes a lot of people are just out to walk which is fine, but fun to others may be trying to run the whole thing so I don't see why it's a bad thing to be conscious of your surroundings. 

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  • lacqueredloverlacqueredlover member
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    Seriously though just get there early so you can be at the start of the line and run without other people in your way.  Problem solved.
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  • ashley8918ashley8918 member
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    lacqueredlover said:

    Seriously though just get there early so you can be at the start of the line and run without other people in your way.  Problem solved.

    Yes, exactly. Even if there are no official "waves", just get there early and get your ass up to the front. 
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  • flutteringinflflutteringinfl member
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    lolo883 said:

    Sorry not sorry, I would have called you snooty too. Either run races that start in waves so the faster/more serious runners start first, or realize that the majority of people are going to see it as a "fun run" and not realize there are people who take it that seriously. 


    There's one 5k I run every year (and I use the term "run" VERY loosely here). It's timed, but the walkers don't get chips and are asked to start in a wave after the runners. There are no official waves, but the fast people know to start at the beginning. My friends and I start near the end, just before the walker. I give nonefucks about being in the way of people who are so clueless to have started behind me. 
    This. The existence or lack of corrals would indicate to me the "culture" of the race. Also, just say, "Excuse me," a lot. Not trying to be obnoxious, but isn't that proper race etiquette if someone is blocking your way and being slow?
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  • beachyone15beachyone15 member
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    edited May 2015
    I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself...

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    ETA: boo, why can't I gif today?!



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  • KatieinBklnKatieinBkln member
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    flutteringinfl said:

    Sorry not sorry, I would have called you snooty too. Either run races that start in waves so the faster/more serious runners start first, or realize that the majority of people are going to see it as a "fun run" and not realize there are people who take it that seriously. 

    There's one 5k I run every year (and I use the term "run" VERY loosely here). It's timed, but the walkers don't get chips and are asked to start in a wave after the runners. There are no official waves, but the fast people know to start at the beginning. My friends and I start near the end, just before the walker. I give nonefucks about being in the way of people who are so clueless to have started behind me. 
    This. The existence or lack of corrals would indicate to me the "culture" of the race. Also, just say, "Excuse me," a lot. Not trying to be obnoxious, but isn't that proper race etiquette if someone is blocking your way and being slow?

    For a run? Sure. For a VERY SUPER SRIOUS BIKE RACE*? In that case it's "ON YOUR LEFT!" as loudly as you can, regardless of whether the biker ahead of you is actually in your way or not. Be as dickish as possible in your tone. Otherwise it doesn't count.


    *all bike races are super-duper serious. ALL OF THEM. The douchebags who show up in full spandex and aerodynamic helmets to a charity race will make sure you fucking know about it.
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  • redoryxredoryx member
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    But you can always pass on the left, whether or not they are on the right. That's how running etiquette works. 

    I'm a slower runner and I know that as a slower runner I should be in the back at the starting line. Does everyone who shows up at a 5K know that? Probably not. Like others said, if there are no corrals people are going to line up where they line up and if that means walkers show up at the front and you have to run around them, then pass them on the left and run around them. 

    I know 5Ks can be competitive for some of the runners and they use it for training purposes and such, but if it's that important to you then get your butt to the front of the starting line like the other faster runners. 
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  • larrygagalarrygaga member
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    But it's not like you were yelling at the people in your way. Your friend asked you about it and you said how it was. 
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  • ChemFanatic25ChemFanatic25 member
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    lacqueredlover said:

    Seriously though just get there early so you can be at the start of the line and run without other people in your way.  Problem solved.


    Actually to be honest I'm surprised the walkers being in the way is an issue. Every run I have participated in, the walkers are always in the back because that was the rules. It just makes sense . . . or am I crazy? I'd be pretty annoyed to having to zizag through walkers but you must have ended up in the wrong place, OP. Accidentally held back or something. From now on, I'd try to move towards the front but not too close unless you can run a 5k in 16 minutes.
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  • theartistformerlyknownastheartistformerlyknownas member
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    thisismynickname said:

    Not knowing the race or how it was advertised, OP has a point. 


    I refuse to enter fun runs after a bad experience at the Chase Corporate 5k. I, too, am competitive and if a race isn't chip timed, I won't even enter.  

    What I have seen is even when a race has the time markers at the start line (6 min mile, 7 min mile, 8 min mile... all the way to 10 or 11), that slower runners will line up at the 7-8 minute pace so they can run with friends. That's what I have an issue with, and why the CC5k I did was a clusterfuck I refuse to ever enter again. 

    While we can certainly say, and races can certainly try, to have serious competitors line up at the front, less competitive runners have a duty to be honest about their abilities and not get in the way of the faster people. Running Etiquette 101. 

    If people line up near the front and still trip over people stopping and taking selfies, that's a huge issue. But, again, we don't know what OP's race was, if it was advertised as a fun run or a USTA-certified 5k with chip times and waves. 

    I love running because it's for people of all abilities, but people of all abilities have to adhere to race etiquette. Seriously. 

    Signed,
    Snobby runner.
    Unless you're running through a 2-wide tunnel or people are trying to play Red Rover mid-race, you can still go to someone's left. There's probably room. 

    Or make it a full track & field experience and bust out a high jump. ;) 
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  • ChemFanatic25ChemFanatic25 member
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    thisismynickname said:

    Not knowing the race or how it was advertised, OP has a point. 


    I refuse to enter fun runs after a bad experience at the Chase Corporate 5k. I, too, am competitive and if a race isn't chip timed, I won't even enter.  

    What I have seen is even when a race has the time markers at the start line (6 min mile, 7 min mile, 8 min mile... all the way to 10 or 11), that slower runners will line up at the 7-8 minute pace so they can run with friends. That's what I have an issue with, and why the CC5k I did was a clusterfuck I refuse to ever enter again. 

    While we can certainly say, and races can certainly try, to have serious competitors line up at the front, less competitive runners have a duty to be honest about their abilities and not get in the way of the faster people. Running Etiquette 101. 

    If people line up near the front and still trip over people stopping and taking selfies, that's a huge issue. But, again, we don't know what OP's race was, if it was advertised as a fun run or a USTA-certified 5k with chip times and waves. 

    I love running because it's for people of all abilities, but people of all abilities have to adhere to race etiquette. Seriously. 

    Signed,
    Snobby runner.

    See I had the opposite happen with the Chase Corporate run. Maybe it's dependent on location? We were all given different colored bibs based on our run/walk times put in when we registered. People were pretty considerate about staying with their colors and that really helped to keep the race moving. The boilermaker (when I participated) was a crap shoot but it still worked because of the same mentality, except we were all chipped.
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