10 Popular Race Day Pet Peeves

Snot Rockets (source)

We all have our preferences and habits when it comes to races, but what do you think about others’ habits? I know there are some things out there that must drive you crazy! Everyone has a pet peeve - and when I polled bunch of runners via Twitter, this is what I got:

1. Wearing your bib on your back

This is my personal one that absolutely drives me crazy! I don’t know why it bothers me so much, but I just feel like it’s so wrong. If you are a runner, you wear your bib on the front and if you are a biker, then you wear your bib on your back. Simple as that. I swear I see this at every race I go to.

2. Walkers starting in the front

Walkers at the front of a race clearly aren’t thinking, they have no idea they are about to get trampled. This goes along with people who lie about their times to get in a better corral. I don’t see the benefits of either of these, so please respect the other runners and accept your pace and stick to wear you are placed.

3. “You are almost there!”

Caroline kindly tweeted this one and said “Shut up, 3 miles is not almost there!” This is a classic one and it’s hopefully a well known piece of race etiquette. You NEVER say you are almost there!

4. Coming to a complete stop

Speaks for itself, in a water station or elsewhere.

5. Overdressed/too much gear

I’m always surprised when I see how many people overdress for a race. Long running tights and a long sleeved shirt is overkill for a 60 degree day. And god forbid, don’t wear a fuel belt to a 5K!

6. Running in a large group

This gets annoying when walkers or runners run in a straight row and literally block the whole entire path. This is not Red Rover, let me pass!

7. Showering and/or wearing makeup

These 2 things created a pretty good debate on Twitter and it was interesting to hear opposing opinions. Personally, I shower if I am going to be out after the race for a while, but if I’m coming back home after, I see no point. I never put on a bunch of makeup (or any at all) before a race, but I can see why this bothers people. Are you going on a date or running a race? Maybe it’s a running date?

8. Stopping for pictures

This ties in with #4, please don’t stop in the middle of the road and pull out your camera. It’s okay to not take a race seriously, but that doesn’t mean others aren’t taking the race seriously

9. Crooked race bibs

Okay, so this is more of my own OCD issue. I usually put my race bib on like 5 different times until it’s perfect. It has to be centered and straight! I don’t mind if others’ bibs aren’t perfect, but put some effort into it and make it look somewhat presentable.

10. Walking in the first 3 lanes of a track

Okay, so this one isn’t during a race, but it’s something I experienced recently on my track workout. Unfortunately there is no sign at my track, so I’m sure people have no idea, but all you have to do is observe and use your head. Clearly, there are people sprinting around the track on the inside lanes.

Have you seen or experienced any of the above? What else bothers you as a runner? What are your own running/racing pet peeves? Feel free to spill ‘em below!

Author Bio: Stephanie works in the television industry, but is also the head editor of ireallylikefood. She is addicted to running races and writes about her training on her blog Epicurious Runner. She loves to eat, drink good beer, and travel with her husband. Find out more about Stephanie here and follow her on Twitter.