| 788 |
| ||
|
Am I welcome here? |
| runn |
| ||
|
I'not offended by it, I just think it's stupid and would be embarrassing to be the slow guy getting the big applause. But, I see what they're doing. |
| Precious Roy |
| ||
|
Pull up a chair. Make yourself at home. Seriously, my wife ran her first 5k after years of trying to get in shape and battling injuries. She was just about dead last of all the runners. She got cheered on by the spectators and really enjoyed the support she got. |
| same here |
| ||
|
Where I work, only the poor performers get pay raises. Instead of firing the worst guy in the company, he gets a big bonus at the end of the year. It makes them feel good. |
| Conundrum |
| ||
|
Good post. In fact it annoys me so much that I often boo the slow person just to try provide some balance to the crowd applause. I had times when I've had to watch SLOWER runners get much bigger applause than me who: Finished Last! Were significantly overweight Wheelchair guy Young kid Cancer survivor Its just not right! |
| Dog treats. |
| ||
|
if we're talking about 2 hobbyjoggers and the slow one gets more applause than the fast one, that is chill. dont forget you're hobbyjogging. |
| Conundrum |
| ||
|
Isn't anyone who isn't a professional, hobbyjogging?
|
| No Not Really |
| ||
|
No |
| 50c |
| ||
|
Met Bill Rodgers about 10 years ago. Same thing came up. He thinks all slower finishers deserve plenty of praise. If we do not encourage the mid pack and slower runners, what do we have? A) Not many runners overall B) Mid runners and en mass is what pays for the races C) Fans? Just fans of the fast runners. Not many. My advice is bite your tongue, and swallow your pride. They pay the bills. Just ask Bill Rodgers. |
| 788 |
| ||
|
Thanks. I think I'll stick around for a while! |
| Kinvara |
| ||
|
After all almost all my races (normally top ten) The first thing I try to do after recovering is going to the point before the finish and cheer on those behind me. seriously if you get mad because the people behind you get more applause your truly pathetic.... and really insecure |
| Stock LRC Response |
| ||
|
I have never witnessed this phenomenon. I usually win, then jog over to my car and put my shoes on and go for a long cool down until any awards ceremony. Thus I don't know what sort of treatment slower runners get. |
| dpmrunner |
| ||
|
What the heck, there's room for all different views. I can't say I've ever measured the applause each runner gets with any kind of "applause meter." When I'm getting close to the finish (mid-pack runner), I'm usually breathing too hard to worry all that much about who's applauding whom. Heck, people could boo me and I'd probably be oblivious. ;) Afterward, I'll do my cool-down on the course and cheer for people. If it's an out and back course, I'll cheer for the front-runners... if I have any breath. Or if I'm volunteering at the finish line, the first people coming in get plenty of cheers. But again, nothing I've ever measured. If I see you in a race, I'll be sure to cheer wildly--if I have the breath for it! :) |
| not easily offended |
| ||
|
The technical term for this is "Pity Claps" |
| WhitePony |
| ||
|
I was got the pity clap at an indoor race where I got placed into the wrong heat, it was humiliating. |
| reading comprehension |
| ||
|
I had got the pity clap one time, but I got some azithromycin and it cleared up pretty good. |
| orbitboy |
| ||
|
If you're looking for attention, applause and praise from the typical man on the street, I'm afraid you picked the wrong sport. |
| Participation Award |
| ||
|
Can't stand it. Since I am involved in high school XC and track I see it every distance race. The kid who started walking about 500 meters into the race and finishes a 5k in 35 mins gets a huge round of applause from the parents. Then you hear "What an accomplishment", "I give him/her a lot of credit for getting out there", blah, blah. If it's the end of October and you still can't finish a 5k without walking, you've been walking everyday at practice when you should have been running. No applause deserved! |
| Flatty |
| ||
I'll take that over sarcastic clapping any day. |