In another post someone said they intentionally put their hands on another racer they didn't know to nudge them along at a race start. I was horrified - I would never touch another racer with my hands unless it was accidental (they were falling on me or I on them). Why can't you just say something like "let's go"? If someone touched me on purpose, I think I'd instinctively grab their hand off me and break their arm in two. Key word = instinctively.
Shouldn't you keep your hands to yourself? Isn't that part of sportsmanlike conduct in noncontact sports?
Since you weren't at that race and I was, I'm not sure you have all the facts.
I failed to mention in that already long answer that I had said something along the lines of "Let's go, the race has started", more than once. Even prefacing it with "Ladies...".
At the point of my putting my hands in the small of their backs, they had made me come to a complete stop because of their inconsiderate actions in wanting to stop and chat with their friends.
Normally I do keep my hands to myself in a race except in the situations you mentioned.
I just don't appreciate a slower runner getting in front of me and IMHO deliberately impeding my foward progress. (Saying to each other: "Let's stop and talk with so-and-so..." is pretty much deliberate.)
But if you think that no one is going to touch you at the start of a marathon, especially where you say you'll be lining up, you are sadly mistaken. And, if you follow through with "grab their hand off me and break their arm in two" also in for a lawsuit.
If some jackhole's slowed down to a crawl or completely stopped right after the gun going off, I assure you I would've thrown them down, applied a figure-four leg lock and insulted their mama!
<sigh> There's a difference between the normal incidental touching that happens in a race pack and purposeful touching which, if you don't believe is also grounds for a lawsuit, you're sorely mistaken. And the "break their arm in two" was sarcasm. I would probably jut out an elbow based on instinctual self defense followed by a few choice cuss words, just as if someone were to do it while I was walking down a crowded city street.
IMO, if there were only two slower runners in front of you, I find it hard to believe that you couldn't get around them and they brought you to a sudden standstill. But whatever the scenario, intentionally laying your hands on another is wrong.
Is this acceptable behavior in other parts of the country? In the Northeast I know it's not.
IMO, if there were only two slower runners in front of you, I find it hard to believe that you couldn't get around them and they brought you to a sudden standstill. But whatever the scenario, intentionally laying your hands on another is wrong.
Is this acceptable behavior in other parts of the country? In the Northeast I know it's not.
Some instances of "touching" in a race I can think of...
1) Coming upon a hunched over runner, putting a hand on the shoulder and asking "You okay? Need the medics?"
2) After the finish, seeing a younger guy who just finished in the top 10, gasping and laying on the ground, I saw he was putting on "a bit of a show", so I reached out and grabbed his hand to pull him up saying" don't sit down, you'll never get up"
3) It's always a great gag to come up behind a running buddy and push their elbow forward as you come up, it really messes with your form for a bit
4) And when I've volunteered at a race at the finishline I give high fives and back pats and big cheers to everyone when asking for their bib tag.
1) Coming upon a hunched over runner, putting a hand on the shoulder and asking "You okay? Need the medics?"
2) After the finish, seeing a younger guy who just finished in the top 10, gasping and laying on the ground, I saw he was putting on "a bit of a show", so I reached out and grabbed his hand to pull him up saying" don't sit down, you'll never get up"
3) It's always a great gag to come up behind a running buddy and push their elbow forward as you come up, it really messes with your form for a bit
4) And when I've volunteered at a race at the finishline I give high fives and back pats and big cheers to everyone when asking for their bib tag.
You know elkid, you're "right". You "win". Yet once again you've "bested" me.
Incidental contact is fine and does happen in races. However some people just don't get it and may some times need a little bit of reminder, be it a firm yell, or gentle nudge.
Dude, up here people shoot people over a pair of frigging sneakers, who are you kidding?
I've seen some pretty rude stuff happen at Philly races, I don't think any place is really "proper" when it comes to competition. The few times I've seen, the person didn't politely nudge someone out of the way, they plowed right past them, and once it was in a pack on the way to the start line, when everyone else was just "shuffling" at that point. I myself have gotten stepped on plenty and I start nowhere near anyone who runs fast, nor do I stop to talk to friends or pose for pics in the middle of the road. Nothing personal meant to anyone who lives up here, because I obviously live here too, but the whole NE Corridor contains some of the rudest mo fo's I've ever seen....it's much more civilized down south in general (having raced down there also I do have a good comparison).
I've seen some pretty rude stuff happen at Philly races, I don't think any place is really "proper" when it comes to competition. The few times I've seen, the person didn't politely nudge someone out of the way, they plowed right past them, and once it was in a pack on the way to the start line, when everyone else was just "shuffling" at that point. I myself have gotten stepped on plenty and I start nowhere near anyone who runs fast, nor do I stop to talk to friends or pose for pics in the middle of the road. Nothing personal meant to anyone who lives up here, because I obviously live here too, but the whole NE Corridor contains some of the rudest mo fo's I've ever seen....it's much more civilized down south in general (having raced down there also I do have a good comparison).
Although road running is usually considered a non-contact sport, I think touching another runner can sometimes be justified, much like flarunner pointed out.
I'd rather have a hand on my back then an elbow to the ribs anyday.
I'd rather have a hand on my back then an elbow to the ribs anyday.
I side with fla on this one too. I'd try to maneuver around them first, but if they're holding you back you need to do something.
I got "touched" twice within 50 yds by some dingaling who was drafting me in the last mile of a 4 mile race earlier this year. She tripped me and totaled my stride the first time. The 2nd time I whirled around to give her an earful and she had already backed off and went to the side. She mumbled an apology but was right back behind me shortly. She wasn't fast enough to draft that last 1/4 mile