Why dont more people race shirtless?

Not sure but running with a shirt on burns my nipples.

Cause douche.

In Alaska, almost all the mountain runners go shirtless in races.

https://mmr.seward.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/7-4-26-115_2.jpg

I don't because I'm a coach and there are almost always a couple of my runners in the race. it's just inappropriate. otherwise, over 70 degrees, shirt is off. Same thing when I go out on runs. though sometimes it's nice to have a shirt to wipe the sweat off your brow

Is it only American men who run topless?

Basically no one in Germany runs topless, regardless of how warm it is. I also haven't really seen it in the UK. I think the very few people I see running around topless are American expats.

Tried it once but pinning the number to my nipples hurt too much.

NUFCrichard wrote:

Is it only American men who run topless?

Basically no one in Germany runs topless, regardless of how warm it is. I also haven't really seen it in the UK. I think the very few people I see running around topless are American expats.

I honestly think this is a thing. I'm american, and when I have had the fortunate opportunity to be abroad (NZ, Ireland, Taiwan), no matter how hot it was in all those places, men were always running with shirts on. I stopped a fellow runner in NZ and asked if I was being offensive by running with my shirt off. They said no one will take notice really, and that most people just keep their shirts on due to how strong the sun is down there, to avoid skin damage.

Taiwan is traditionally just most conservative. Not sure about Ireland though.

But yeah, we're alone in this I feel.

FWIW, I race shirtless, unless I am repping a local running store whose jersey I am wearing, or I'm with my club in a team race.

Also never shirtless for XC, only summer road races.

indoorszn wrote:

It’s acceptable for top women to race in like bras and Speedos

Why don't you run in a bra and Speedos?

While we are on the topic. How is it appropriate for women to run practically naked?

lwood wrote:

While we are on the topic. How is it appropriate for women to run practically naked?

They don't do that.

I personally wouldn't like wearing a bib on the shorts. That would be annoying each stride.

And wearing a singlet is classic, feels like a real race since that's the only time it's worn.

indoorszn wrote:

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

Nothing wrong with running shirtless. The science suggests that running with a lightweight, light colored fancy fabric wicking singlets actually keeps one cooler than running shirtless on those particularly nasty hot and humid days. However, psychologically, some perceive that they are cooler when shirtless. Perception is super important.

As an aside, I don't want to rub up against your nasty sweaty shirtless belly on the start line. Who knows what kind of diseases reside on your skin.

In the UK no shirt has negative "chav" connotations, unless you're on the beach or by the pool.

Plus it's too bloody cold 95% of the time.

pinning a number on short running shorts is a pain in the butt, enough so that you'll only be racing shirtless a couple times before deciding a singlet is fine

Kvothe wrote:

pinning a number on short running shorts is a pain in the butt,

Number should be on the front (which might just be more painful the way you are apparently pinning it).

Bib on the shorts wrote:

I personally wouldn't like wearing a bib on the shorts. That would be annoying each stride.

And wearing a singlet is classic, feels like a real race since that's the only time it's worn.

I'm a female who runs in the minimum possible amount of clothing (sports bra and shorts) at any temperature above the upper 50s. I always pin my number to the front of my shorts, where it is far less annoying than having it bouncing around on my bra--I'm hardly "stacked" but I'm not totally flat chested, either. Even in cooler weather I wear my number on my shorts because then I can start out wearing extra clothes on top and shed them as it warms up.

I don't find the number on the shorts annoying at all. I fold it up into the smallest rectangle possible that doesn't hide the number or bend the timing chip, and attach it right below the waistband in front. (I wear regular running shorts, not those bikini-like bun-huggers on which it might be hard to pin a number).

I have also always wondered why more men don't run shirtless. I certainly would in any reasonably warm conditions.

I race shirtless if it is ridiculously hot, otherwise I prefer a singlet. I hate the way my shorts feel with a bib attached to them. Only reason for me.

racing shirtless looks trashy.

NUFCrichard wrote:Is it only American men who run topless?

In Thailand and other SE Asian countries even though it is extremely hot and humid no one goes shirtless. I don't think it is against the law but people just don't do it.