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

i seen some dude who who like heat 10, one of the slowest sections of a 1500 celebrate like he just won Olympic gold, I loled

When you just threw in a hard surge 500m out to successfully avoid getting lapped by the leaders.

It is certainly not when you are posting why the US isn't invited to the Commonwealth Games....

when you are absolutely beyond yourself and you win the race.

willy k wrote:

where is the line to draw?

When it is raining.

Is it not obvious? When you have won the race.

Even if you think it should be reserved for big races, I think state meet qualifies.

In HS I won a couple big races and, the horror!, raised my arms out of pure joy. I didn't even realize it until seeing pictures of the finish.

Have you ever watched a football or basketball game and jumped to your feet with arms in the air when your team made a big play?

Are you racing for the joy of competition or the audience?

I started celebrating at boston from a quarter mile out. I guess that makes me a huge tool, right?

webfoot wrote:

In HS I won a couple big races and, the horror!, raised my arms out of pure joy. I didn't even realize it until seeing pictures of the finish.

Have you ever watched a football or basketball game and jumped to your feet with arms in the air when your team made a big play?

Are you racing for the joy of competition or the audience?

Seconded. Winning a race, no matter how small, is always special, and if you ran a hard race and won out, go ahead and throw it up (after you cross the line).

Billy Mills winning the Olympic 10000m in 1964.

http://news.runtowin.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/BillyMills_Crossing_Finish_Line_1964Olympics.jpg

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think he is just happy.

Well that a small part of why, but that question is better answered in a thread of its own.

I won a couple decent races in my day and actually never raised my hands. I also won a state title in high school. I would always give a deep hearted fist pump when crossing the line in first. I think it had something to do with the intensity that I brought to my races, it tended to transfer to a fistpump rather than an armraise. Regardless, the feeling of winning a race is one I won't soon forget.

go for the fist pump, it's cooler.

http://www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com/photos/2010/overview/index.html

here's a letsrun classic for years to come. I wanted Matusak the whole way. not sure why Barnicle raised his though

any significant or surprisingly good accomplishment for yourself.

i prefer the downward fist pump where it almost looks like youre throwing something. like when ryan hall set the AR in houston. much cooler than putting hands in the air. do it if you surpassed your goals and are truly thrilled about what you did

It's never classy. Respect your opponents, exercise some humility and -- for godsakes -- act like you've been there before.

Wait a second. You can't raise your arms after winning a state championship in high school? Even in a very competitive state like Illinois? What the f??? A high school kid busts his butt to win his state champs and the guy can't celebrate by raising his arms?

The first time I broke 3 hrs in the marathon I raised my arms. I kind of felt like a goober, but noticed that a half marathoner finishing at the same time was raising their arms. It is all relative.

man, I've see 2 guys on training runs running 6-7 min miles. One guys is doing a victory lap literally hands in the air. I try not to look. I don't know if I'm supposed to laugh, or be pissed off, or cry from this pathetic display. What in hell's name is that? The other guy is slower finished off his run like he won a race.