Why dont more people race shirtless?

Because its super hot

I think it's a matter of cultural norms. There is nothing intrinsically "wrong" with running without a shirt, but I don't like to do it in some situations because it makes other people feel weird. Like, if I pulled off the highway to go jogging in some small town in Alabama, I wouldn't head out in my split-side shorts and no shirt (unless I felt like getting assaulted that day).

Personally, I prefer to wear as little as possible when running: the ancient Olympic ideal. Not that I want people to see my body or anything; it's just more comfortable for me that way. Then again, I'm one of those people who gets warm really easily; I don't need a shirt to say warm on a run unless the temperature gets below about 45.

Regarding pinning a race bib to shorts: it's not a big deal, as long as you pin it in such a way that it's neither flapping around nor in some awkward position to where you feel a tug with each stride.

Because it’s against the USATF rules.

You are required to wear a shirt, your bib number must be worn in front and cannot be cut or folded (attaching it to shorts doesn’t really work).

It’s not generally enforced, but it is the rule and if nothing else it seems a little disrespectful to disregard the tradition.

The most obese nation in the world has the most people who run shirtless,vast majority have more fat than Adele had in the old days.

I’m too embarrassed, that’s why

The unspoken rules are:

You are only allowed to race shirtless between memorial day and labor day.

You can only race shirtless during road and trail races.

You shouldn't race shirtless during races where you are in contention for prizes/money.

indoorszn wrote:

Except for maybe 1 guy at your local 5k, guys always wear singlets. It’s acceptable for top women to race in like bras and Speedos, why can’t guys race shirtless?

If you’re unattached or running a road race, what’s wrong with running shirtless? Why don’t most guys do it?

There are rules against it. In high school, I almost got DQ'd once for taking my shirt off in the infield.

You too can wear a sports bra or a crop top.

Image:trailmag.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2017...

Skin Cancer

Na, Australians do that sh*t too.

It doesn't have to be very hot either. I knew a guy who'd run with a beanie (presumably to protect against the cold) but would still take his shirt off.

What I'm trying to say is, Americans don't have a monopoly on douchiness.

It does for girls so I don't do it. Like ogling some fit guys without shirts, tho.

Interesting. I moved to Berlin after 20 years in Russia when the war started, and I see way more shirtless runners around here. I figured it's more or less the same as the popularity of Birkenstocks, people are not afraid or ashamed of their bodies. Russians would disapprove running shirtless the same way they would disapprove recreational drug use or homosexuality, just because they have that old-school patriarchal mentality. This summer when it's hot I would only wear a shirt if I need it for sun protection (like making a couple of rounds on Tempelhof instead of hitting the trails in the wood) or plan on buying bread or riding a couple of subway stops on my way back home because being sweaty and shirtless in a crowded space is super offensive to others. I'm already uncomfortable enough around other people in a sweaty singlet. I see a lot of other shirtless runners, some even run the Hasenheide parkrun shirtless. Technically not a race.

Although Berlin is mostly Russian/Ukrainian or Turkish depending on the neighbourhood and the ethnic Germans living here are seniors in their eighties, so it's hardly representative.

As for the racing. A lightweight singlet increases the surface your sweat will evaporate from (that's why all the perforation, too) and if it's a lighter color than your skin it will heat up less in the sun. If I go shirtless on a hot and humid day some of the sweat that could be evaporating from the shirt ends up in my shoes and they're soaking wet even after a 1 hour run. Still beats dealing with tons of smelly shirts for a normal run, but I don't want that on the race day. TBH I wouldn't want to race on such a day at all, so I would consider possible weather conditions when picking my races. And the race organisers do that, too, when picking the event date, at least sometimes they do. Also, many races actually have it written in the rules that you have to attach your bib to your shirt. It's not enforced, more like 'no headphones'. But why break it? I haven't ever raced shirtless.

I predict this is his WW3 will start. Shirts vs. skins

I prefer to train in the summer with no shirt on but it’d be awkward running a race like that. The high school boys do it but being in my late 30s it’s a bit douchey.

Is there a performance measure where you can wear a singlet and not look like a tool?

because modern day singlets have the "technology" to keep you dry and reflect sunlight which would ultimately make you faster. it also gives you some cloth to wipe the sweat off of your face. the 2oz that a singlet adds is nothing compared to the benefits that the singlet provides.

People are just tied to uniforms. And singlets are basically sponsored uniforms. They want to feel like they're part of a billion dollar team even if they make nothing from the billion dollar corporation.

I rest my case. School teams just want to put on a good classy show where everyone thinks people are upstanding citizens wearing uniforms.

The public is just too prissy.

Wow, hot day in Alaska? I like how one guy at the front is dressed like he's racing in sub-freezing weather.

Why is it "inappropriate" for "a couple of your runners in the race" to see you running without a shirt"

Why do you pathologize the human body, specifically your torso?