Fancy Dress- Fancy dress is common sight in the London Marathon and is becoming more so in other races around the UK. Fortunately it hasn’t invaded the races of many other countries around the world. There are benefits to fancy dress, it helps draw attention to your cause and gives identity to you if you are running in a group. But PLEASE think about what you choose to wear. If you have run many marathons and want to fund raise, running in costume makes it more challenging, but it shouldn’t be a challenge for the rest of us running around you. Superman outfits are fine until the cape catches the wind and wraps around us running behind you; firemen carrying 6 foot ladders are great as hurdles for fellow runners; or my favourite last weekend was the carrier of a flag on the end of a 6ft pole, which combines both obstacles.

Bin Bags – Large races often require you to leave your clothing on the busses up to an hour before the start and it can get cold so it’s sensible to wear something such as a bin bag to protect against the wind or rain. But you don’t see Paula and Haile wearing bin bags on the start line and I would guess they have less natural insulation than you do so get rid of your bin bags 2-3mins before the gun. ALSO don’t even think about running wearing it and disposing during that race. Aside from the bags catching the wind and making it difficult to race in they are frustrating and dangerous when they get tangled around runners’ legs.

Start at Correct Corral – This is my pet hate, the arrogance of joggers who ignore the race etiquette and insist and starting at the front.  If you used to weigh 20 stone and have diet and exercised down to 15 stone then congratulations. You deserve recognition for your achievement but that doesn’t give you the right to start impeding the 5min/mile runners.

Linking Arms –You set out on the challenge together and have supported each other at every training session, but you are now at the race day so, (unless you have some physical disability) you should now have the strength to walk unaided without having to link arms 4 a breadth. Giving support to an injured tired participant is not a problem, but blocking the course from mile 1 so no one else can pass through your linked arms as you walk with you rucksacks, is not endearing you to your fellow competitors.

Stopping Abruptly – Often happens because of point 3. You start too near the front, try to keep with people around you and after 30 seconds of running at your max pace, you stop as if you had just been shot. Causing a pile up of everyone else running 10miles/hour behind you.  Later in the race you may get tired which is understandable, but so is everyone else around who has to dodge to avoid you, so unless you have just had an immediate health emergency move to the edge of the course before you stop to recover.

Wash Your Kit – Everyone knows not to wear brand new kit for a marathon, and if you do decide to wear new kit specifically for the race then you should at least go for a run in it before hand. But for the benefit of your fellow runners, please at least wash your kit before the race. Sweat only smells when it becomes stale and bacteria is growing so I never understand why some people smell so bad as you pass them If they have only been wearing their running vest for an hour.

Personal Hyigene – Associated with tip 7, your fellow runners want to breathe in deeply as they run so if you want a people to help pace you along rather than hold their breath and sprint past you then deodorant and a shower is a top tip.

Watch Your Wings – This is for the tall people. It may be easy to run if you pump with your arms but consider us little people. I’m only 5’3 and when I try to run past, your elbows are level with my head. I try to shout out that I’m trying to pass, but you are often wearing your iPods loud and ignore me till my eye and your elbow make contact.

Water Bottles – drink stations normally have a number of tables so there is no need to stop at the first one. But no matter how thirsty you are, keep on running through the drinks station as we are all carrying on running behind you. DON’T stop at the table like you are leaning at a bar. When you throw away the water bottles or cups try to throw to them away from the road. Think of the slower runners who will also be tired at 24miles having to avoid twisting their ankle on 10,000 bottles on the course. But no matter how competitive you are taking the race also try not to take off you competitions head as you hurl your half empty bottle to the curb.

Talking – Occasional words of encouragement, comments about a how tough the course is or asking a fellow runner if they know the pace you are doing is fine. I just seem to attract people who try to have random conversations with me whilst I’m obviously trying to run hard. If you want to appear creepy then fine ask questions about what football team do I support, or what I am I studying at University, or wanting to know my name. You wouldn’t ask random people in the street so why would you think it’s OK to ask someone whilst they are running a marathon.

Sorry if I sound like a grumpy old woman, but not matter how fast or slow we are, we all find the marathon a challenge, so it would be nice if people could considered how they could help (or at least not hinder) their fellow competitors.

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