Why do North American runners take their shirts off?

[quote]BiCurious wrote:

The rest of the world thinks it's a little strange.

When did it start? Is it a rite of passage?

Why not?

elmore345 wrote:

Been running all my life in the UK. Never worn or seen anybody running in polo shirts. You diick.

Are you blind, or live in St. Kilda, maybe?

Have a look at any Parkrun photos' page. It took me less than a minute to find this:

And that's from London.

Another one?

Swindon here:

Who's the diick now?

diicks 'R Us wrote:

elmore345 wrote:

Been running all my life in the UK. Never worn or seen anybody running in polo shirts. You diick.

Are you blind, or live in St. Kilda, maybe?

Have a look at any Parkrun photos' page. It took me less than a minute to find this:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/39989651@N03/15624632539/in/pool-burgess-parkrun

And that's from London.

Another one?

Swindon here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/91433062@N07/9982438304/in/pool-swindon-parkrun

Who's the diick now?

Man, the English are quite ugly. No wonder us freedom lovers jumped across the pond. I'm just glad we brought the good looking chicks over here with us.

das wrote:

So I'm talking about being outside shirtless, men can do it, but it's illegal for women.

It's not illegal. It's just a social convention.

red neck + white chest = "redneck" = low class

Lots of people are more comfortable with their shirt off. Especially in the hot, humid weather, which pervades much of our country much longer than in Europe.

Plus, we have "Freedom". It's this thing where you get to do what you want, as long as it doesn't harm others.

You guys are still working on this concept, I see. It's OK, you'll get there, we have faith in you. We're rooting for you.

You Are What You Is wrote:

Plus, we have "Freedom". It's this thing where you get to do what you want, as long as it doesn't harm others.

Like running in National Parks whenever you want? Or cross a totally empty street with excellent visibility anywhere you want?

Come on, there are great things in the US but this is not about freedom.

I am writing from a European country with very mild Winters and hot Summers and it's usual to see (male) runners not wearing a shirt while training.

They know what they're doing wrote:

And when you have skin cancer in 20 years you'll know why they didn't take off their shirts.

Can't argue with you on that.

I am a runner who decided to do one of them try a "Tri-s"it was a small local one some of the guy's knew I was just a runner. I was getting a few dirty looks didn't really care about it but come to find out that I should have had a shirt on for the bike and run. If it's hot out I don't run or race with a shirt on. Bunch of snobs.

You Are What You Is wrote:

Plus, we have "Freedom". It's this thing where you get to do what you want, as long as it doesn't harm others.

Yes, because Americans never harm others.

more of a mystery to me is why so many runners seem to shave their chests

cityrnr009 wrote:

more of a mystery to me is why so many runners seem to shave their chests

and legs

lolpod wrote:

You Are What You Is wrote:

Plus, we have "Freedom". It's this thing where you get to do what you want, as long as it doesn't harm others.

Like running in National Parks whenever you want? Or cross a totally empty street with excellent visibility anywhere you want?

Come on, there are great things in the US but this is not about freedom.

I am writing from a European country with very mild Winters and hot Summers and it's usual to see (male) runners not wearing a shirt while training.

usually you can run in a national park whenever you want. The one time you couldn't was when the republicans in congress were being dicks and didn't pass a budget. That was for like 2 weeks, a one time thing. More people run in state parks than national parks anyways. And you can cross streets here anywhere. Cops really don't care. I've "jaywalked" many times in front of cops who couldn't have cared less.