What To Do About Pushy Runners During A Race
Races can get crowded—especially at the start line. What do you do if someone does a little push or jab?
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Etiquette expert Lizzie Post, great-great-granddaughter of Emily Post, knows a thing or two about the rules of the road—and the descendant of the famous decorum diva is a runner too!
If you get elbowed in a race, do you say something or ignore the pushy runners who jabbed you?
I think it depends on how hard I’ve been elbowed. If someone lightly bumped me at the start of a race where everyone is crowded together, I wouldn’t worry about it too much. But if in less close quarters, I got checked by a fellow racer I might say, “Ow!” or “Excuse me!” just to call their attention to it. Most people will say a passing, “So sorry!” as they run by. Mostly though, confronting a stranger to seek an apology isn’t worth it. Consider the best possible outcome in this situation. Just run on.
Have a question for Lizzie? Email editorial@womensrunning.com or tweet @womensrunning with the hashtag #ProperForm.
Read More:
The Golden Rules Of A Successful Race Day
How To Run Tough In Bad Race Conditions