Randy Wholeway wrote:
Want to turn a kid off the sport forever? Let some high strung hobby runner act like a real donkey because a kid added a second or two to their first mile in a neighborhood 5k. Kids are going to act like kids. Please act like an adult.
So a hobby runner who is trying for a PR and probably just dropped $40 bucks for a 5k is not being an adult because they don't want to run around 20 kids at the start?
At least these kids are trying to win the race, which is more than we can say about you.
Please take care not to run over your fellow competitors and participants when passing.
RI red wrote:
I agree with you. 37 years of racing and this is my biggest running pet peeve. It is outright dangerous for both the kids and the rest of us. Usually, when I see kids at the line just before the start, I will notify the starter to ask the kids to move back. My second peeve is when people cut the course on corners by going up on the sidewalk. Do they actually think the course was measured this way?
Ah yes. As a race director these occurrences should not have to happen. We set up a staging line 10 yards from the actual start line. Then 1 minute before the gun I wave forward club and high school runners who will be clocking 14:30 to 16:00. After that, the rest of the field is directed to move up behind them.
We allow baby strollers, but require all such runners to line up at the back. Years ago some idiot with a double-wide stroller planted himself right at the front. The race was delayed until the guy begrudgingly agreed to move to the back.
On the course, we position marshals at every turn to ensure the USATF-certified route is run faithfully.
Bring Back the 880 wrote:
At least these kids are trying to win the race, which is more than we can say about you.
Please take care not to run over your fellow competitors and participants when passing.
Please don't breed shithead; one of your dopey kind is too much already. Anyone who doesn't reconize this as as a real issue either doesn't race or doesn't race reasonably fast and there's absolutely zero need for it.
????????? wrote:
Randy Wholeway wrote:Want to turn a kid off the sport forever? Let some high strung hobby runner act like a real donkey because a kid added a second or two to their first mile in a neighborhood 5k. Kids are going to act like kids. Please act like an adult.
So a hobby runner who is trying for a PR and probably just dropped $40 bucks for a 5k is not being an adult because they don't want to run around 20 kids at the start?
If you can't manage running around 20 kids in a neighborhood 5k without acting like a donkey, then yes, I'd say you still have some progress to make in the "being an adult" category.
Bring Back the 880 wrote:
At least these kids are trying to win the race, which is more than we can say about you.
Please take care not to run over your fellow competitors and participants when passing.
Ever noticed that the US Olympic Marathon Team Trials start line is orderly? Every kid entered is trying to win the race (or at least reach the podium) yet they are still organized by ability.
hall monitor wrote:
[quote]Bring Back the 880 wrote:
Ever noticed that the US Olympic Marathon Team Trials start line is orderly? Every kid entered is trying to win the race (or at least reach the podium) yet they are still organized by ability.
You're talking about much more experienced runners, and a much more heavily organized race.
Career Pigeon wrote:
[quote]Bring Back the 880 wrote:
Please don't breed shithead; one of your dopey kind is too much already. Anyone who doesn't reconize this as as a real issue either doesn't race or doesn't race reasonably fast and there's absolutely zero need for it.
It is an issue, but if a race doesn't have age limits, you get stuff like this in a 5k.
The easy solution is to line up at the very front of the race. Even if the kids go out faster than you, there should be plenty of road for you and you won't come up in the slowing kids as abruptly.
If my kid ever wants to run a 5k, I'll try to get him to do it safet and line up in an appropriate place. If a kid wants to run fast, a smaller event is probably safer. I think childrens' heights are what makes them running these races somewhat dangerous, more than their erratic paces.
Too late on th breeding thing. I'm going to become real man in a few months.
This happens periodically in the races I run. In my experience, it usually depends on the race savvy and experience (or lack thereof) of the RD and race organizers as to whether it gets dealt with or not. Usually a simple reminder prior to the start to let the faster runners up front does the trick. It's also incumbent upon the parents of the kids to be aware of the situation as well
Bring Back the 880 wrote:
hall monitor wrote:[quote]Bring Back the 880 wrote:
Ever noticed that the US Olympic Marathon Team Trials start line is orderly? Every kid entered is trying to win the race (or at least reach the podium) yet they are still organized by ability.
You're talking about much more experienced runners, and a much more heavily organized race.
Don't confuse the point, 880. Any experienced race director can create an orderly start. Even at a local 5k.
The Troll Whisperer wrote:
Don't confuse the point, 880. Any experienced race director can create an orderly start. Even at a local 5k.
That was my point. This is either a problem with race organization, or with the OP taking a fun run too seriously.
Bring Back the 880 wrote:
The Troll Whisperer wrote:Don't confuse the point, 880. Any experienced race director can create an orderly start. Even at a local 5k.
That was my point. This is either a problem with race organization, or with the OP taking a fun run too seriously.
A serious runner treats all races the same.
FitzyXC wrote:
There was a guy with a stroller on the start line in a 3000+ person race at my local turkey trot. He was on the side, but still.
I was cruising along in a 4 mile race around 5:55 pace when a guy pushing a stroller blew past me. He finished top 30 in a 2,500 finisher race. I heard he had won the race a couple times not pushing a stroller.
My usual solution is to do a last minute strider (if an RD is allowing kids on the front line they usually will allow this). Then line up right in front of the kids and avert your problem. Kids usually are slightly aware/in awe of your strider and give you space off the line. If the strider fails or can't be performed step in front of the line and act like you're stretching then back up when the RD yells at you right before the gun.
I hate trampling little kids at the start because my shoes get all gooey and it slows me down.
Did you notice the OP mentioned it was an 1800 person race? I guarantee it was way more than 20 kids, and the traffic jam/trampling risk they caused was real.I'd say you still have some progress to make in the "reading comprehension" category.
Randy Wholeway wrote:
Want to turn a kid off the sport forever? Let some high strung hobby runner act like a real donkey because a kid added a second or two to their first mile in a neighborhood 5k. Kids are going to act like kids. Please act like an adult.
If you can't manage running around 20 kids in a neighborhood 5k without acting like a donkey, then yes, I'd say you still have some progress to make in the "being an adult" category.
Ura Moran wrote:
Did you notice the OP mentioned it was an 1800 person race? I guarantee it was way more than 20 kids, and the traffic jam/trampling risk they caused was real.
I'd say you still have some progress to make in the "reading comprehension" category.
Generally for 5Ks the larger it is, the less serious or competitive the race. Even so, if you are going to be running for some sort of goal or prize, just line up in front.
If you can't keep under control for the first 400 yards of a 5k, you need to tone it down more than the little kids.
Ura Moran wrote:
Did you notice the OP mentioned it was an 1800 person race? I guarantee it was way more than 20 kids, and the traffic jam/trampling risk they caused was real.
I'd say you still have some progress to make in the "reading comprehension" category.
Randy Wholeway wrote:Want to turn a kid off the sport forever? Let some high strung hobby runner act like a real donkey because a kid added a second or two to their first mile in a neighborhood 5k. Kids are going to act like kids. Please act like an adult.
If you can't manage running around 20 kids in a neighborhood 5k without acting like a donkey, then yes, I'd say you still have some progress to make in the "being an adult" category.
OP here -
NOTE (cliff note version for those who don't read):
1) I love kids (have a 2-year old boy that is my pride and joy)
2) This is a problem for safety
3) I don't care if kids are entered as long as they don't get in my way
4) I'm learning that more and more people are idiots
For the LRC'ers who are literate:
Yes, it was a large race (1800 runners). Yes, it was competitive but I finished 3rd. I was on the front line along with the other top runners, but so were over a dozen elementary school kids. FYI - there was a fun run prior to the 5k.
Again, I did not average sub 5 minute pace but the 9 year old kids sure take off faster than that initially, then fall apart before we've covered 100 yards. When I say fall apart, I mean nearly stop right there in front of you (and in front of the other 1,798 runners in the race). I spent $35 and also a sign up fee to run the race and I was gunning for a good time and prize money. The kids didn't keep me from placing 3rd, rather I was merely pointing out that there are safety issues at play.
Race was delayed last weekend for about 5 minutes as about a dozen kids were asked to move back - and parents were asked to retrieve kids and move them back. Director kept asking nicely "that unless you plan on running first mile under 5:30, please move back off the starting line." Some parents looked upset that their kid was asked to move back ---- idiots. The director was really nice about it the whole time and handled it well - it was just a few parents who really seemed upset that their kid was not allowed to lead the race for the first 50 meters. Idiots.
tyty87 wrote:
Ura Moran wrote:Did you notice the OP mentioned it was an 1800 person race? I guarantee it was way more than 20 kids, and the traffic jam/trampling risk they caused was real.
I'd say you still have some progress to make in the "reading comprehension" category.
OP here -
NOTE (cliff note version for those who don't read):
1) I love kids (have a 2-year old boy that is my pride and joy)
2) This is a problem for safety
3) I don't care if kids are entered as long as they don't get in my way
4) I'm learning that more and more people are idiots
For the LRC'ers who are literate:
Yes, it was a large race (1800 runners). Yes, it was competitive but I finished 3rd. I was on the front line along with the other top runners, but so were over a dozen elementary school kids. FYI - there was a fun run prior to the 5k.
Again, I did not average sub 5 minute pace but the 9 year old kids sure take off faster than that initially, then fall apart before we've covered 100 yards. When I say fall apart, I mean nearly stop right there in front of you (and in front of the other 1,798 runners in the race). I spent $35 and also a sign up fee to run the race and I was gunning for a good time and prize money. The kids didn't keep me from placing 3rd, rather I was merely pointing out that there are safety issues at play.
Totally concur. And another safety prob are people who show up to run with their dogs.