Babyjoggers should be outlawed in ALL races

Shouldn't they start out with some strides until they are at least 2 before goin into all out jogging. Whose pushing these poor kids?

Keith Stone wrote:

Since the danger involved isn't any greater that what's introduced by allowing baby joggers, I should just ignore it, right?

Of course you shouldn't. And the fact that insurance costs you more if you allow baby joggers is reason enough not to allow them.

But when posters(not you) make claims like a stroller mom tripped an 88-year-old, breaking his leg, and then "ran over him" and then just kept going, and, 8 consecutive races I've been a part of have had stroller incidents that resulted in stitches, broken bones, or concussions, I require some details before I'm going to believe it.

YOU SHOULD HAVE BEAT THE SHIT OUT OF THAT FUCKING BITCH!

I saw this person this one time wearing Nike shoes. He was very mean and pushed someone down causing them various injuries. I am sure it's all the shoes fault. I think we should ban all Nike shoes in races, they are obviously not appropriate.

Questionable wrote:

I saw this person this one time wearing Nike shoes. He was very mean and pushed someone down causing them various injuries. I am sure it's all the shoes fault. I think we should ban all Nike shoes in races, they are obviously not appropriate.

congratulations for that preschool level argument for allowing baby strollers. i hope to god you dont have kids.

Dukerdog,

Sorry it took me so long to reply. To answer some of your questions. Yes, I have experience with children. I don't have any of my own yet though. My nephew just turned 4 and I've been to the birthday party full of baby jogger moms. That's why I said Sugar high, sugar low. They start out bouncing off the walls and then end up passed out and drooling in their chariots. I don't think they should be allowed in races at all even if they meet all the new people and dogs you mentioned. Why not chariot them down to park or to the library? Why the race Dukerdog? Obviously everybody here finds them hazardous and are too polite to say anything during the race.

Eventually, yes, I'll probably end up with a babby jogger and bag of candy to lure them in, as many athletic moms do but I won't race with one ever. I don't want to be a part of clipping peoples heels, knocking old people down and all the other things that are happening.

H2Ogirl wrote:

Eventually, yes, I'll probably end up with a babby jogger and bag of candy to lure them in

It's just plain funny that you're convinced kids hate being in baby joggers.

why do you say "chariots"....do you think it's "cute" or something?

dukerdog wrote:

It's just plain funny that you're convinced kids hate being in baby joggers.

Again, it depends on the kid. As I said before, some kids I know love them - can't wait to go out for a ride regardless of the weather - while others start to fuss as soon as they get near the thing.

Also, I think lack of experience on the part of the parent plays a role in whether the joggers become hazards. I have several friends who are experts at guiding the jogger at sub-6:00 pace - they could weave through an obstacle course without touching a single cone. I've seen other people who can't keep the thing going in a straight line while walking down the sidewalk. The latter are the same people who often don't have much experience in races and thus don't know the basics of how to handle turns, tangents, water stations, etc., even without the jogger. So lack of "vehicle control" plus lack of basic race etiquette can result in disaster or at least extreme frustration!

The only reason the baby stroller joggers are defending this practice is because they do it themselves. If they could step back and view it objectively, they would see it's ridiculous.

How is this any different than running with a dog in a race? Or pushing a shopping cart? Or riding a bicycle?

They are all obstacles that don't belong in races because someone could get hurt. Especially when people are running fast and hard (I know most stroller pushers aren't fast, but at least one guy on this thread bragged about an 18:02 5K - that's sub-6 pace).

Also, I guess I don't even understand the point of running with a stroller. Do you try to beat your previous stroller PR's? If you're not going to be running all-out, why bother entering a race?

first of all, i agree that strollers do add some added danger and i agree race directors shouldn't allow them, but i never am annoyed when i see someone pushing one in a race. personally i am far more annoyed by the slew of high school runners and over 50 slow men who start at the front of the race. i have seen more accidents because of them than a babyjogger. i think it is great that parents care enough about their kids to bring them with them to a race and spend the time with them instead of hiring a babysitter who will plant them in front of the TV. parents are involving their kids in athletics and providing a positive example of being fit and getting out and excercising. with 20-30% of kids being overweight in this country, i think it is an important lesson. obviously, the incidents mentioned on this thread are due to ignorant people but i think for the most part parents who use them daily and in races are doing so with good intentions. we could all probably give examples of incidents not involving baby joggers that are just as ridiculous.

check out the last pic, near the bottom of the stroller being used.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-10/18/content_383305.htm

They can spend time at a race with you without being in the race! My kids loved the baby jogger in neighborhoods, smooth rolling trails, and when they were tired but didn't want to nap. Providing them with a positive example is easy when they see you head out the door for your daily run and then accompany you as they get more proficient at propelling themselves(on foot or bike). Also there are plenty of public track meets that have kids races.

babyjoggers are a hazard, there was one in a downhill mile race in NH, millennium mile. What pissed me off even more was that the guy beat me, while making a tramitic experience for his kid. He ran sub 4:15, its the 5th picture on the webpage

I think you guys ran Pebbles over. He's out of the race. Too bad.

H2Ogirl wrote:

If I see a child older than 1 year being pushed in a chariot, if it is not for transportation or a really short run, I think the parent is bitchy and selfish.

Eventually, yes, I'll probably end up with a babby jogger and bag of candy to lure them in

And then I'm sure you'll think all those strangers passing judgement on your parenting skills are "bitchy and selfish."

1st children are OUR future. We must let them LEAD the way. The only effective way for them to lead in a road race is for them to be in front of you. Thus, they need to be pushed in strollers. Don't take positions that harm the future, the children.

And that was 2004 Olympian Darin Shearer. Elite runner and friend of the Downins, Erik Nedeau and Mort. If it's o.k with them, it's o.k. with me.

unless i missed something, darin didn't make the olympic team. he qualified for the trials, but was 8th in the steeple...

also in regards to the mile race he was careful to start off to the side to not get in anyone's way.

it is too bad that the course is short and downhill because i think he probably set a WR with a babyjogger.