Racing Etiquette 101

With the heart of the Summer Racing Season in full swing, I found this on the Maine Track Club website....good stuff!

It's Race Day!!!!

· If you drop something as the race starts, don't stop and pick it up! Wait until almost everyone has crossed the starting line; then retrieve it.

· Don't drop clothing on the course after you warm-up. If you must shed layers of clothing, tie them around your waist or place them on the side of the road where no one will trip over them. If you drop it; don't expect to get it back.

· Run or walk no more than two abreast.

· Do not block runners coming up behind you by swerving needlessly back and forth across the course.

· If you are walking in a group, stay to the back of the pack and follow the two abreast rule.

· Bodily functions are a fact of life during a race. If you need to spit, blow your nose or throw-up, move to the side of the road and do it there. If nature calls, check for a port-a-potty, an open business, a kind neighbor along the course, or as a last resort, a discreet clump of bushes before relieving yourself.

· Move to the side if someone behind you says "excuse me" or "on your right/left". The person behind you is giving you a heads up before passing. It's proper race etiquette to let that person pass you without blocking their effort.

· If someone in front of you is wearing headphones, and they are blocking, gently touch their elbow or shoulder as you pass to alert them to your presence.

· If you need to tie your shoe or stop for any reason (phone call, nose blow, etc) move to the side of the road and step off the course.

· Pay attention to your surroundings. The course may or may not be closed to traffic. It is your responsibility to watch for oncoming traffic!

· Yield the right of way to all police and emergency vehicles. Yield the course to wheel chair athletes, you can change direction or stop more quickly than they can, especially on a downhill.

· Don't cheat! Don't cut the course or run with someone else's number.

· Enjoy your race!

Finally! Run Happy!