You Know You're at a Local Fun Run When....

- The prize money is as many bananas as you can eat before 2nd place can get to the refreshment table.

-Everyone is gathered at the starting line, and then they spend 10 minutes talking about the sponsors of the race, and it is also 20 degrees out.

-You hear people talking about how cool it is to get a 'free' shirt with their entry.

-Before the race, a fat guy with bib pinned on at a 45 degree angle points out your racing flats, and says "I bet if I had shoes like that, I could run really fast."

-The pace bicyclist can't keep up with the first place runner.

... when 36:30 10k guys think they are hot shit.

i like this one. since my college days are over...these races are all i have left.

1. you finish and run a shitty race. some old lady asks for your time and you tell her. she then looks amazed and is in awe of how fast you ran (when you are pissed because your time was slow)

2. When you get a trophy the size of your ceiling for taking first place in your age group out of four people.

3. when the highlight of your pre race is to look at all the chicks in their sports bras on a hot day.

4. when you feel the need to eat as much free food as you can to get your entries worth.

5. A fast kenyan shows up and wins and claims he was just running his tempo run. (he runs like 13:00 5k).

6. you run shirtless and in a pair of really short shorts just cause you can.

7. the medals you win are better than the medals you win in hs and college.

.......people at the starting line ask you what age group you're in.

people are amazed when you run another 5 miles after completing a 5k.

you are in all your running gear and feel awkward because everyone else is in jogging pants and the race day shirts.

You have to tear off the bottom part of your bib in the finish chute with barely functioning hands due to the below freezing temperature. This really makes me appreciate D-chip timing.

You run at an easy pace and still win the 5K by 3 or more minutes.

When you get dirty looks for doing your strides, after the race.

When people ask, "How did you have enough time to change?"

You're in the front row of starters

when a bunch of little kids start in front and run as fast as they can for the first 100 meters and then tire out.

When the numbers are printed on paper.

so how much did she beat you by?

Local 10k Guy wrote:

a lady in your mid 30s with a baby stroller steps up to the in front of you (a 36:30 10k guy). .

First you notice a very fat man in Wrangler jean wearing his new race shirt over his cowboy-style collared button up with pearl buttons.

Then you see the distinct circular pattern of his chew can in the pocket of his button up through his race shirt.

This man is ready to race.

....When people you run by (out and back 10k) tell you good job.

...When the people at the aid station get in your way to try and give you a water, for a 10k.

You pace your six year old in a 5k and get 3rd in your age group

tstock wrote:

... when 36:30 10k guys think they are hot shit.

I was going to say when a 36:30 runner thinks they are fast but this is just as good.

When a fast-looking black guy walks up to the front before the race and everybody gets in their cars and drives home.

When youre congratulated for being "super fast" after a 20 minute 5k.

1. when you are convinced the HS kids participating in the blue ball challenge are actually legit because they already have a 20 second gap on you at the first km.

2. when at the awards ceremony just before your name is announced, the RD says "and we've heard of this guy before" even though you are a 18:00 guy

3. when people are in awe of anything sub-20 5k believing its a 'runners' dream (make that the weekend warriors dream)

4. (XC and Trail runners only): when you hear of this major hill everyone is dreading and as you are running it, you think "this is pvssy shit" because of that 2% grade for 100m.

When you're not a local, blast a 5k in 14:30, and everyone at the run doesn't talk to you or ignores you because you're not one of "them", especially the run director who coldly gives you the award.......