Why do people hate on hobby joggers?

I find the whole Hobby Jogger LetsRun putdown unique in that in other sports, you don't see the elite trashing all those who aren't. If you want your sport to thrive, gain sponsor attention and be successful, you encourage people of all levels to participate no matter how good they may or may not be.

At its core, it is human nature to create a sub-class of people over whom you can claim superiority in some form or fashion. In this case, more accomplished runners feel the need to belittle hobby joggers as a mask to combat their own insecurities.

This "hate" typically takes two forms.

First, the more accomplished runner does not feel that the hobby jogger gives the respect and deference which the accomplished runner feels they are entitled to (i.e., hobby jogger doesn't "know their place").

Second, the hobby jogger brags about their achievements to others, and receives praise that the more accomplished runner feels entitled to as a result of superior achievements (i.e., hobby jogger unjustifiably steals the spotlight).

The accomplished runner often tries to assign altruism to their hatred by claiming that he or she is representing the interests of all accomplished runners. However, this altruism is often false, as the accomplished runner generally only cares about himself or herself. This highlights another common problem with human nature, where one's identity is substantially tied to their association with a group.

I think the hate comes from the nice athletic equipment and shoes they can afford that the blue collar runners can't.

Then they don their finisher medals and put those stickers on their cars as a reward for not dropping out of a race run at 10 minute pace.

But hobby joggers are essential to having any of these races set up in the first place.

No one is going to administer a race, get official times and hold off traffic for 10 guys running around town.

The LR conundrum.

If you don't do anything, you're a fat slobby couch slug.

If you go to the gym you're a cross fit, gym rat lunk head.

If you do tris you are a poser, a gear fool that's terrible at 3 sports.

If you run slowly you're a hobby jogger.

If you are elite and don't win, you're lazy.

If you are elite and run fast, you're dirty.

There are no "blue collar runners."

The whole blue collar runner thing is myth.

Hating on "hobby joggers" is childish in the extreme, as well as stupid. Where do you think the money to pay people like Meb and Shalane comes from?

There are blue collar runners.

There are runners that dedicate time to train to their full potential but are not at a level to receive any endorsements or funding for their running.

And some sacrifice potential money in their general profession to maximize time and effort put onto their running.

And, as I said, they would not have events to run if it weren't for hobby joggers paying entrance fees to absorb the costs of these events.

Remember- It takes exactly three days of cross fit training for your average hobby jogger to be converted into the most "awesome athlete on Earth."

Not that running should pander to the fragile egos of posers and flakes.

But there are other activities that will.

seikosha wrote:

I find the whole Hobby Jogger LetsRun putdown unique in that in other sports, you don't see the elite trashing all those who aren't. If you want your sport to thrive, gain sponsor attention and be successful, you encourage people of all levels to participate no matter how good they may or may not be.

Running is unique, in that the elites and sub-elites of the sport often share a competitive space with people who are just doing it for fitness. There are times where this can get a little awkward.

Personally, I've never been part of the crowd that trashes hobby joggers. However, in my experience there's a certain percentage of the hobby jogger population that actively resents competitive runners and aren't afraid to let you know it. It's super weird and I have no idea where that comes from, but it definitely exists.

I don't know, but I'm glad I'm not one.

Star wrote:

And, as I said, they would not have events to run if it weren't for hobby joggers paying entrance fees to absorb the costs of these events.

This is not true. If the fields were comprised primarily of competitive runners then my entry fee wouldn't have to pay for 500 finishers medals, hundreds of dollars in post-race food, and god knows what else. In reality, we'd probably end up with more quality races not less.

There are a ton of races in my area that I actively avoid because they are dominated by hobby joggers and unwelcoming to competitive runners.

pin racer wrote:

If the fields were comprised primarily of competitive runners then my entry fee wouldn't have to pay for 500 finishers medals, hundreds of dollars in post-race food, and god knows what else. In reality, we'd probably end up with more quality races not less.

You think the price of admission is less than the cost of the medal and food? Okey dokey. Which race is this? I want this valuable medal you speak of.

pin racer wrote:

There are a ton of races in my area that I actively avoid because they are dominated by hobby joggers and unwelcoming to competitive runners.

Who is making you feel unwelcome? What, EXACTLY, do they do to make you not go to the races?

Admit it, no one has ever said anything to you, one way or the other, which is actually your problem; the fatties aren't bowing down to your "amazing" 15min 5k ability, so you are upset. When you grow up, you can eat at the adult table during Xmas dinner. Until then, I am pretty sure you will keep blaming other people for your problems with women.

pin racer wrote:

Star wrote:

And, as I said, they would not have events to run if it weren't for hobby joggers paying entrance fees to absorb the costs of these events.

This is not true. If the fields were comprised primarily of competitive runners then my entry fee wouldn't have to pay for 500 finishers medals, hundreds of dollars in post-race food, and god knows what else. In reality, we'd probably end up with more quality races not less.

There are a ton of races in my area that I actively avoid because they are dominated by hobby joggers and unwelcoming to competitive runners.

Every race that tried this model has failed (outside of Boston)

Unless you filed your taxes as a professional runner who makes more than 50% of your income from running, you are a "hobby jogger."The majority of runners in the U.S. are hobby joggers. Unless you are paid to run full time, you are a hobby jogger. Sports is a hobby. Athletics is a hobby. It's a past time that should be enjoyed, otherwise, why do it?It's like photographers differentiating between pro or amateur when in reality, there are very few professional photographers.Being professional doesn't mean you are good at what you do (wedding photographers, for example - most are sh_tty artists). It just means it's how you make your living.

plunger wrote:

From my understanding there's two types of hobby joggers those who boast about their activities and those who just do their own thing without a care of what others think. The same go for runners then, those who dwell about being superior over hobby jogger status and those who don't care about anything else other than their training. What does it matter about hobby joggers? They're just out trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle (whether they actually do is another topic) and trying to do what makes them feel better. It's like being a juiced looking meat head at the gym snickering at some guy trying to use the Smith machine. He made it to the gym to try and keep working towards his goals of a better healthy lifestyle.

Some people just enjoy running and that is problem for some people here. How dare you run 9 minute mile? You must run 8 minute mile! Nobody knows why these arbitrary numbers matter.

I'll have fun at the expense of a newbie runner, but I think that's normal for anything. I'm sure experienced golfers can spot some rookie that just showed up on Sat. morning with a set of clubs from Wal Mart, or sporting every hackneyd piece of gear out there.

Now if someone is slow and really trying, I'd never criticize that.

Don't take things too seriously, it's just insecure posters on here, that is all. Outside of this cesspit people are more open minded.

Nobody hates hobby joggers, >99% of what you read is message board trolling for reactions.

Some of the trolls are pretty funny, they keep me coming back to the boards every day.

The

seikosha wrote:

I find the whole Hobby Jogger LetsRun putdown unique in that in other sports, you don't see the elite trashing all those who aren't. If you want your sport to thrive, gain sponsor attention and be successful, you encourage people of all levels to participate no matter how good they may or may not be.

There are no elites here. I repeat, there are no elites here.