Anyone else hate the local road race scene?

It drives me crazy how much folks pay for these local "road races".

I have my own road race... no monetary advertising, no permission, no fees, etc.

It's called getting a bunch of folks together that like to run.

We all get on the same page on where to go, and we run it.

I'm gonna guess you're in the 15-16 minute range for a 5k. You train almost as if you're a professional athlete, you do all the right workouts, high mileage, you take the sport very seriously just to run better-than-average but still mediocre times. You see all these stupid idiots running 25 minutes or so and feel very accomplished, probably more fulfilled and happy with their times even though guys like you are running 10 minutes faster than them. You probably feel a little resentment that these types of people enjoy the sport that you put so much time and effort into.

That's my guess as to why you would make such a pathetic post like this.

Jimmy 8 wrote:

Doesn't really matter where you live. It's all the same. Lots of dorky middle aged people paying $25 for a T-shirt that says they were a participant in some meaningless road race where they jogged (they made no attempt at running hard) a 30 minute 5k mixed with hobby jogger weirdos who see running as a core part of their identity even though they only run 10mpw yet still boast about how they completed a marathon once 10 years ago. Zero normal people. Little humility. Rarely anyone with any real competitive background.

I don't understand the appeal.

Local 5/10ks are a waste of my time, except for a few races we have that do have some competition. You're better off running college meets unattached or just running the biggest local races and travelling for other races.

Let it Rupp wrote:

I'm gonna guess you're in the 15-16 minute range for a 5k. You train almost as if you're a professional athlete, you do all the right workouts, high mileage, you take the sport very seriously just to run better-than-average but still mediocre times. You see all these stupid idiots running 25 minutes or so and feel very accomplished, probably more fulfilled and happy with their times even though guys like you are running 10 minutes faster than them. You probably feel a little resentment that these types of people enjoy the sport that you put so much time and effort into.

That's my guess as to why you would make such a pathetic post like this.

This - apart from one thing... professional athletes actually don’t care about the times other people are running. Those people are just running 20-25 minute 5ks to keep themselves fit and they couldn’t care less what other people run. The only people I ever see moaning about road races are the sub sub sub elite wannabes, it’s very sad to watch that you sorts of people can’t just enjoy the sport andbe happy. You may very well train like a pro athlete and not have the genetics to make it but guess what 16 guys.. there’s also 18-19 minute guys that do that so stop being so bitter and just accept what you’ve got because it could be worse.

Where do you people live? I'm pretty sure most of you are making up some dystopian road race scene. I live in New England and as a 16 flat guy I can count on getting roasted at every USATF-NE Grand Prix race...along with plenty others.

Lord Jeffrey Amherst 420 wrote:

Where do you people live? I'm pretty sure most of you are making up some dystopian road race scene. I live in New England and as a 16 flat guy I can count on getting roasted at every USATF-NE Grand Prix race...along with plenty others.

You live in one of the best parts of the country for local road races, behind maybe Boulder CO. Things in the rest of the country are about 10x worse.

Let it Rupp wrote:

I'm gonna guess you're in the 15-16 minute range for a 5k. You train almost as if you're a professional athlete, you do all the right workouts, high mileage, you take the sport very seriously just to run better-than-average but still mediocre times. You see all these stupid idiots running 25 minutes or so and feel very accomplished, probably more fulfilled and happy with their times even though guys like you are running 10 minutes faster than them. You probably feel a little resentment that these types of people enjoy the sport that you put so much time and effort into.

That's my guess as to why you would make such a pathetic post like this.

What’s the difference between a 14 minute 5ker and a 15 minute 5ker? The 14 minute guy knows he’s not elite.

I don’t disagree that there are a fair number of either non-competitive road races or races put on by people who clearly aren’t runners in markets all over the country, but are people who are complaining about their local road race scene in (or near) a city (even a small—100,000ish people— one)? Because I’ve lived in a few different places all over the country, and every time I’ve lived in or near a reasonable population center, there have always been at least a handful (3-10+, depending on the market) of good, local races of various distances throughout the year that would attract 500-2,000 runners including, for whatever reason (history, prize purse, fast course, on an RRCA or USATF Grand Prox) most of the good local good runners, and even some out-of-area talent.

Even if the races weren’t perfect (more expensive than some old-school runners would like, no prize purse, sometimes with the leaders catching up to slower runners running a shorter distance), they were at least competently-produced and a good chance to compete. And no, they aren’t every weekend in every market, but between traveling once or twice a year and racing two or three less competitive local races, it’s enough to form the backbone of a good annual racing schedule. Are there any major population centers that don’t have that? If so, that’s a shame (and also a business opportunity—and if enough of you name your lacking market on here or in other venues, some entrepreneurial RD is going to pick up on the opportunity and fix the problem).

Now, I understand if you live somewhere rural or remote that you probably don’t have that, but isn’t that the trade-off of rural life? That you have to drive 30-45 minutes for even the essentials and sometimes several hours for things (like a competitive road race) that are a luxury or require a critical mass of people to support them? But I also doubt that you have to deal with a glut of sub-par road races full of tutu-wearing non-competitive participants in your area—there’s just aren’t many (if any) road races of any type/quality in your area, period!

Seriously, though, who here currently lives in a city with two or fewer good races for serious runners, and if you do, what city is it?

great place to get laid, son, you're not playing it right! I'm 44, still sub-16 & have bagged everything from college girls to CEO cougar / milfs after these race (and once before). do you want to be a jock sniffer or a player?

The road race scene seems to have gotten worse in recent years. So many "races" are either untimed, or 4.5 km, or held in a tiny park full of sharp turns where half the course is on grass. Apparently organizers figured out that you don't need timing or a good, properly measured course to attract enough hobbyjoggers. In Seattle there's maybe one good road race per month where you can really chase a fast time with some competition, the other 90% fit the previous description.

For the last almost 4 years, I have been fighting many of you on this logic. And I still will. And I don't care if you like what I am going to say. Why in the name of h--- do you care at what speed or for what reason someone else runs??? Many of you here are not entitled to the belittling and grief that you give slower runners, and, many of you are jerks in the way you approach it. In addition, many of want to conveniently discard your genetic (and possibly supplement) aid and make it seem like your training and effort is all that got you there. Well, no, I do not accept it. Anyone who came from a background of pure work and training would respect that people try. The problem with many of you on this website is that you are doctor's kids or lawyer's kids or people who grew up with money who have little sympathy except for yourselves when you are slighted or feel inadequate. As someone who has run an almost 28 minute 5k, and a 25, and a 24,23,22,etc all the way to a sub 20.....I have seen that the nicest people, in comparison, are not in the faster groups. Same with marathons, as I have been with the 6 hour people, the 5 hour people, and the 4 hour people. Those who are not as fast are friendlier and still train. Let us take this further to even directly say that your insensitivity is an affront to the events themselves, no matter how you place. The people you are putting down may be Cancer Survivors People who are checking off a bucket list item Out-of-town visitors Friends of friends who are there Survivors of major hardships People who recently lost a lot of unhealthy weight Diabetics Runners new to the sport Runners reacquainted with the sport People who just enjoy running People with disabilities You should be ashamed of yourselves for being this way. Sincerely, Mike (in San Diego)

Jimmy 8 wrote:

Doesn't really matter where you live. It's all the same. Lots of dorky middle aged people paying $25 for a T-shirt that says they were a participant in some meaningless road race where they jogged (they made no attempt at running hard) a 30 minute 5k mixed with hobby jogger weirdos who see running as a core part of their identity even though they only run 10mpw yet still boast about how they completed a marathon once 10 years ago. Zero normal people. Little humility. Rarely anyone with any real competitive background.

I don't understand the appeal.

I don't mean to be disparaging, but just curious - why don't you or your local running clubs just organize your own elite/sub-elite races? That way you can control who enters, and you can charge as little as you want. Or you can just run off the front of your local hobby jogger race and race the other fastest runners in your area without having to do anything but pay the entrance fee.

I don't understand why there's so much complaining on these boards about hobby joggers ruining "real" runners' race experiences when they can just organize their own if it's so important to them. You don't hear the world's greatest marathoners complaining about having to run with all of the other hobby joggers who run London, Berlin, NY, Tokyo, Chicago, etc.

Self Help wrote:

I don't mean to be disparaging, but just curious - why don't you or your local running clubs just organize your own elite/sub-elite races? That way you can control who enters, and you can charge as little as you want. Or you can just run off the front of your local hobby jogger race and race the other fastest runners in your area without having to do anything but pay the entrance fee.

I don't understand why there's so much complaining on these boards about hobby joggers ruining "real" runners' race experiences when they can just organize their own if it's so important to them. You don't hear the world's greatest marathoners complaining about having to run with all of the other hobby joggers who run London, Berlin, NY, Tokyo, Chicago, etc.

Just go to your local track early in the morn or late at night and knock out the distance you want for FREE!

And like the other poster said , stop bitching and start strutting before and after the race. If you’re not Jamin or have moved out of the basement, there’s some tail to be had at these races.

Don't let other people determine your happiness. The only person you should run for/against is yourself.

Hardloper wrote:

In Seattle there's maybe one good road race per month where you can really chase a fast time with some competition.

That sounds about right for a city/running scene of that size. Would it be nice for sub-elites and competitive AGers if every race were set up for them? Of course. But it seems like with that number of races, the competitive running market is being adequately served in that market. So who cares about the other 90% of races that aren’t that?

Jimmy 8 wrote:

Doesn't really matter where you live. It's all the same. Lots of dorky middle aged people paying $25 for a T-shirt that says they were a participant in some meaningless road race where they jogged (they made no attempt at running hard) a 30 minute 5k mixed with hobby jogger weirdos who see running as a core part of their identity even though they only run 10mpw yet still boast about how they completed a marathon once 10 years ago. Zero normal people. Little humility. Rarely anyone with any real competitive background.

I don't understand the appeal.

I'm 44 and "dorky". Today I paid $25 to get a t-shirt and run 5 miles. I made an attempt at running hard (PR 5 miles). I am worse than a hobby jogger, I am a despicable weekend warrior.

The money raised went to help a high school track team.

They have no criteria for "elite". They just define elite as quote "any runners who intend to run substantially faster than the rest of the field are urged to register in the elite division", seriously what the f*** does that mean. I ran 29:mid/high for 10k and a younger (17) guy from my club ran just under 34 minutes when we ran it. Plus there were a another dozen + of us between 29-36 minutes from the same club. Thought we would all be smart asses and just register under the non-elite category. We were all waiting for our prizes ($250 1st overall + free pair of shoes at local shop), then $100/$75/$50 for first second and third for age groups/sex. Only to find out our names were not called and apparently some 40+ min 10k guy won and a bunch of men and women for age groups between 40-55 minutes. I dont care about the not winning the $250, thats pocket change. But why would you basically dq kids in highschool. Never been so pissed.

Wordz Of Wizdom wrote:

Don't let other people determine your happiness. The only person you should run for/against is yourself.

I run for myself. But I race against others.

I like my local racing scene. There are a handful of interesting low-key races, and a handful of competently organized bigger races with one big event in town. After a few races, you get to know the other people who are likely to show up. The 17:00 5Kers talk to the 18:00 5Kers, and so do even some of the 16:00 guys, and the 18:00 5Kers talk to the 19:00 guys, and so on. There are bigger races if you want to drive an hour or two or five, but people are generally friendly and the courses are semi-accurate. I've even won prize money from a race that didn't advertise having any prize money.

But it's true that not all local racing scenes are the same. The racing scene in my town is a lot better than it was in the bigger southern city I used to live. In that town, most of the races weren't organized by runners, no prize money even for race winners (ask me how I know), no regard for accurately measured courses, and there wasn't much communication between runners, even with a local running club.

Some places are better than others.