Seriously, how does that work out?
Seriously, how does that work out?
The race starts.
First person to reach the finish line wins!
Throw some ‘bows boi!
bartholomew_maxwell wrote:
Seriously, how does that work out?
40 "runners" Sprint the first half mile on the roads and then when they get on the singletrack and hit the first hill, they start hiking. Then I have to spend a bunch of time and energy getting around them or hike behind them losing a bunch of time. I could Sprint the first mile too, but all three of those options ends with me having a slower time than I should have.
If you want to pass someone say, “can I get by?” and they let you by. On an out and back, move to the side a bit for runners coming the opposite direction.
The only time it’s a problem is when there is a long backup, sometimes called a conga line. Usually you can work through a couple runners at a time
bartholomew_maxwell wrote:
Seriously, how does that work out?
A few simple reasons:
1. Smaller field sizes. There aren’t 1000s of runners in trail races.
2. Most trail race start on wider sections so the runners spread out before hitting single track.
3. A lot of trail races start not only on a wider trial at the start, up also uphill, to help spread out the runners quickly.
4. Trail runners tend to be polite and will allow others to pass. It doesn’t take much to move over to one side of the trail to allow another runner by.
5. In a ultra marathon trail race it really isn’t a big deal if you’re slowed down a bit in a conga line because you can pretty easily make up that time during a 30, 50, or 100 mile race.
6. Most trial races are on a mix of dirt road, single track, double track, ATV trails, etc. so you aren’t on single track the entire race.
Go out fast so you aren't stuck, then if you get caught behind someone, either wait for a small break in the trees to sort of skip around them, or just say "on your left" or something
Trail races are longer. There really aren't any 5k trail races so there is plenty of time to pass people when the trail widens or at aid stations. And as others have said they start out on a wider area.
What's more common is leapfrogging. Most runners are usually a little faster on either uphills or downhills. So you might pass someone on a climb and they will pass you back on the desent. This can go on for a while depending on the terrain.
descent
cold runner wrote:
Trail races are longer. There really aren't any 5k trail races so there is plenty of time to pass people when the trail widens or at aid stations. And as others have said they start out on a wider area.
Short trail races are plentiful in some places. They are actually my favorite and most frequently run races by far. Things like in a running race: cheap or free entry, trails, local (no travel), evening start, exact distance not at all important, but short enough to race again in a week, and a decent number of people so there's good competition. That's what I find in a long-time local trail race series that happens weekly each fall for a couple months. The courses often have a lot of singletrack, other times they are the same as cross country running (or skiing) courses. Over 1,000 people show up weekly, divided up into three courses (shorter and a bit longer(and more competitive) adult classes plus kids).
I haven't done Parkrun, but it seems to be a similar concept worldwide - a lot of people, and actually free. In NH, where I spend a lot of time, there's a free 5K trail series that runs in the summer.
Unless you really misjudge where you should be in the pack, you shouldn't have to do that much passing in a short race. In a longer race, you have plenty of time for passing.
Things *I* like in a running race
Single track? More like pregnant track after im done.
Single track? More like pregnant track after im done.
MyLittlePony Size12 Men's Velcro Straps wrote:
Single track? More like pregnant track after im done.
Single track? More like pregnant track after im done.
Ooppss ??
https://youtu.be/o6tLgPnkbpsI did my first Mountain trail race last year. 15 miles. Loved it, but was slightly frustrated with this leapfrogging thing. I like a steady effort and might be somewhat better than average at climbing and would pass folks on the uphills (high elevations and quite steep) only to have them pass me on the downhills. I wasn’t exactly sprinting the uphills, but these people were bombing the downhills only to slow to a crawl on the uphills. It wouldn’t be a problem if we were not on single track Not sure of the best strategy to deal with that. I tried to slow down a bit in hopes that they would just leave me but their uphills were so damn slow that I would catch them. And then they are running like maniacs on the downhill and would catch me if I try to pull ahead and leave them. I guess I could just run harder but I didn’t want to blow up - high altitude and lots of elevation gain/loss.
Ideas other than just dealing with it?
I've done a couple of these races. Some of them start a ways back from the trailhead and its a made dash to reach the trail. I'm talking about guys sprinting at the start of a 10k race. The distances aren't usually wheeled, at least for smaller races, so not entirely accurate anyways. A lot of tripping goes on and people are very aggressive when they pass. You can't try to pace yourself normally as you get stuck behind slower people in areas where you can't pass.
10k is pretty short for a trail race.
Where do you live?
People in Colorado are quite courteous in trail races
For a race that can take hours, just saying "trail" should do the trick. We used to say "track" when lapping someone
Trump wrote:
The race starts.
First person to reach the finish line wins!
Throw some ‘bows boi!
WHOA! Mind blown!!!
Well, when life gives you lemons you paint them ish gold my brother.
The trails are narrow, twisty and turny and there are hills.
Make sure you pass when there is down or an up and always pass when they are struggling slightly. Some runners are better up and some runners are better down.
Pick either a section to pass everyone or a number of runners you wish to pass.
If it's on an uphill listen to their breath, if you can't hear it then they are probably at a sustainable pace and of you cant hear theirs over yours then you are probably not at a sustainable pace. make sure when you pass you go faster than you can hold but make it seem like you have it in the bag. Once you're in front say something to get an idea of where they're at mentally or physically. Once you get past a sharp turn then hit the gas pedal again very unsustainably. Then ease off after you're gap is big enough and they can see you again. Continue to do this you are certain they won't try to pass.
Thats just a small sample of how to use single track to race.
Ya, trail racers call that the "conga line". I've done about 30 trail races and all the ones I recall started with a road or wide section so you could line yourself up with a chosen spot in the conga line before you get to the single track. There are still frustrating sections where you want to go faster but are slowed by those ahead of you and there's no way to pass. You pick your spots to pass. Often you have to run a few feet off the trail to go around. You say "coming around you" or something and sometimes they'll step to the side. You figure it out.