Ura Moran wrote:
Did you notice the OP mentioned it was an 1800 person race? I guarantee it was way more than 20 kids, and the traffic jam/trampling risk they caused was real.
I'd say you still have some progress to make in the "reading comprehension" category.
Randy Wholeway wrote:Want to turn a kid off the sport forever? Let some high strung hobby runner act like a real donkey because a kid added a second or two to their first mile in a neighborhood 5k. Kids are going to act like kids. Please act like an adult.
If you can't manage running around 20 kids in a neighborhood 5k without acting like a donkey, then yes, I'd say you still have some progress to make in the "being an adult" category.
OP here -
NOTE (cliff note version for those who don't read):
1) I love kids (have a 2-year old boy that is my pride and joy)
2) This is a problem for safety
3) I don't care if kids are entered as long as they don't get in my way
4) I'm learning that more and more people are idiots
For the LRC'ers who are literate:
Yes, it was a large race (1800 runners). Yes, it was competitive but I finished 3rd. I was on the front line along with the other top runners, but so were over a dozen elementary school kids. FYI - there was a fun run prior to the 5k.
Again, I did not average sub 5 minute pace but the 9 year old kids sure take off faster than that initially, then fall apart before we've covered 100 yards. When I say fall apart, I mean nearly stop right there in front of you (and in front of the other 1,798 runners in the race). I spent $35 and also a sign up fee to run the race and I was gunning for a good time and prize money. The kids didn't keep me from placing 3rd, rather I was merely pointing out that there are safety issues at play.