Race etiquette for runners

Before the race

• Make sure you pin your race number on as directed. Sometimes this may involve an additional, smaller number on your back to indicate if you’re running a half or full marathon. Normally the main number will be pinned onto the front of your shirt, with pins provided. Take your own pins just in case they aren’t available on race day. Don’t fold your race number in any way, as some of them have a piece at the bottom that needs to be pulled off at the finish by the marshals.
  
• At the bigger races you’ll find a baggage truck where you can leave your bag and pick it up afterwards. Follow all the instructions about applying the supplied number or writing your race number on the bag clearly.
  
• Always listen out to any announcements from the race organisers. Some things may change on the day and this is the only way they can communicate it to you. Often the start time will change and this can affect your warming-up schedule, for example.
• Try and plan your visits to the toilets carefully. Near to start time there are likely to be big queues, so the sooner you act the better! Try and resist the temptation to go ‘behind the bushes’ or on someone’s garden fence!
• When you’re warming up always consider others. Hundreds of people stretching and running in all directions before an event it can be potentially hazardous, so choose your area carefully and watch out for others.
  
• At the start area, line up in accordance with your expected finish time. At the bigger races they will often mark out areas for certain times such as sub 2.30, 3 hours to 3.30 and so on. It will make life easier for everyone if you stick with this. There’s nothing more frustrating for the quicker runners to be dodging people at the start and nothing more demoralising for the slower runners than being overtaken by hundreds of quicker runners! If in doubt go towards the back; it’s much more fun overtaking than being overtaken!

During the race

• Don’t allow friends who aren’t registered in the event to run alongside you. Not only is it unfair on those who have paid to enter, but you can be accused of having a ‘pacer’, which is banned in most events. This also applies to friends who might cycle alongside you.
• Be careful about taking food and drink from friends during races. Although it is generally okay, in some races this is not permitted, so exercise caution.
• If there are a few of you running together be aware of those behind you who might be trying to get past. Don’t line up across the width of the road, try and stay in single file as much as possible. This is also true for those who are walking. If you hear someone trying to get past move across as soon as you can and let them go.
• Don’t suddenly stop in the middle of a race. If you feel you need to tighten your shoe laces or you’ve a stone in your shoe, move across to the side of the road first and take whatever action is needed. Chaos will result if you suddenly stop without warning!
• Drinks stations are often the place where most damage can be done. Don’t suddenly veer across in front of another runner to grab a water bottle or food. Take your turn and remember that often the far end of the station will be empty. Don’t take more than you need and remember there will probably be plenty of people behind you whose requirements may be greater than yours.

• Don’t just drop a water bottle on the floor where it could be tripped on by another runner. When you run away from a drinks station, and throughout a race, use litter bins wherever you can and be careful where you dispose of rubbish if there are no bins available.
• If you’re in a big city centre race and in need of a toilet, don’t worry, there will be plenty along the route. Remember not to queue across the road in the way of other runners. If you’re in a local race in the countryside you’re unlikely to have this facility, so improvisation will be called for!
  
• Always take note of instructions given to you by marshals throughout the race. Although you might not always agree with them, they are there to help and advise, and to look after your safety. Say thanks to them whenever you can. The majority will be volunteers who have given up their time for your benefit.
  
• Maintain a good level of awareness at all times, even though you might be very tired! Be especially aware at busy traffic junctions where the roads are not fully closed. If the police are on the course listen to them!
• When you overtake someone don't cut straight in front of them. Give it a few metres before you try and take your original line. Similarly make sure you try and let runners past who may be going a bit faster than you. Move over if you have to and let them have the quickest way past.
  
• At the lead into the finish line, listen to marshal’s instructions carefully. At some events there will be different finishing areas for different distances, for example if there’s a half and a full marathon at the same event they will often finish on different sides: half on the left, full on the right is common. Every race can be different so make sure you know what you’re doing.

After the race

• When you finish don’t jump the queue as it will give an inaccurate result for you and others around you. After the race you will generally be ‘funnelled ’ down to an area where your time will be recorded and often a detachable part of your number removed for the organiser’s records.  Everyone will be as keen as you are for a drink and some nourishment but just hang on a bit longer!
• When you’re given your medal and/or t-shirt, thank those who have given their time to make the day a successful one. A few well chosen words can make all the difference to those who may have been doing the same job for three hours or more!
  
• Don’t take more than your fair share of food and drink in the finish area. As with the drinks stations along the course, there will be others behind you who will probably be even more in need. If you finish well up the field it might look like there is a huge amount left, but chances are it’s been fairly accurately laid out to suit the number who have entered.
• As is the case from the start of your day to the end, don’t leave any rubbish lying around the finish area. It’s always a huge job to get the venue back to its pre-race state and it will be a lot easier if runners take everything home with them.