When is it classy to raise your arms up in celebration at the finish line, and when not?

WILLIS wrote:

his legs must have had some POP that day.

There's more to racing than the f-ing rail!

OMG thats terrible

The New Improved Webb wrote:

What this sport needs is a really fast redneck who throws the finger as he wins then goes on national TV after setting the US mile record where he preens his mullet and says 'yeah, I'm all that'.

So basically, Kenny Powers needs to start running.

Kenny Powders season 2 is great so far!

Ever notice how ALL triathlets clown around at the finish line. Now that's total douchebaggery.

This is the greatest picture ever. It was after the prelims of the SEC indoor conference meet in 07. Awesome and Hilarious.

When you raise your arms just enough to break the tape:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTO7tFiyBlw

(~4:55 into the clip)

That, too me, is class.

in an HS dual meet, some kid raised his arm up after beating us in the 4x8 in the kick. everyone pretty much agreed it was douchebaggish. his coach got pissed, and the kid came over and apologized later. so i don't really agree with people who say it's always acceptable as long as you win.

i don't agree with the people that say never to do it though, either... it would be boring watching people win big road races and act like they don't care, and it's not as fun for them, either.

i wasn't even thinking about 4 hour marathoners originally... in that case it's probably fine as long as they actually gave it their best and ran a good race... it's not like the whole world is watching them anyways. and it definitely seems odd to do for the other elites who didn't win regardless of whether they PR'd.

maybe i only think that about high schoolers because they're younger than i am, or something, so i tend to assume they're immature d-bags...

also, the fist pump is good too, yes.

One of the major European spring marathons I took pro athletes to this spring had a requirement that winners had to raise their arms when crossing the finish line. They showed pictures at the pre-race technical meeting to make sure the runners understood how far they had to raise their arms.

why dont people just raise them when they feel inspired to do so? if you are thinking about raising or not raising your arms and how to do it then you probably arent going to win anyway. if you have the energy and get really excited with your performance then go ahead. why does it have to be world class performance to justify it? if you are exuberant with it then show it!

jtuyk wrote:

When you raise your arms just enough to break the tape:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTO7tFiyBlw

(~4:55 into the clip)

That, too me, is class.

Awesome video. Didn't know that existed. Thanks.

I'd say it's not acceptable if it's not a major meet, or a meet that should have emotional significance for some reason, barring a huge PR. Also, in a championship meet, if you're not in the fastest heat, you probably shouldn't be raising your arms unless 1) you won by a lot, and 2) you set a huge PR, and should genuinely be really excited about running the time you did. In general, it's in the situations when people would be so overwhelmed with joy that they can't really help it, but in some situations, it seem kind of sad if you do it.

1) I think if there was as significant challenge required to win, such as having to sprint to beat second.

b) If it is a major event. Major meaning the largest in your city, state or country.

iii) If you had some major break through. Like a 16 minute guy breaking 15:30.

four) For everything else a slight wave is sufficient.

For me it goes in order of intensity (when appropriate) or obnoxiousness (when inappropriate):

- both arms raised/double fist pump

- single armed fist pump

- wave

- cart wheel