10 Tips for Marathon Etiquette

I have run almost 60 marathons and ultra-marathons over the last 10 years or so. As a middle-of-the-pack runner, I have witnessed a lot of things that have caused problems for other runners trying for PRs, Boston Qualifying times, and just a generally good time.

10 Tips for Marathon Etiquette

So, here are my 10 tips for marathon etiquette to help you (or something to give that annoying runner friend of yours!) in your next marathon.

1. Line Up In the Right Corral/Position

This can be extremely annoying right from the start! Many marathons do a nice job of giving signs to show where runners should line up for their hoped-for finish time/pace.

But, that doesn’t stop a lot of people who know they are going to run a 10:30 minute per mile pace from lining up in front of the runners that are planning on running a 8:00 minute per mile pace. Once the runners cross the line, those runners that got in the wrong spot start running their planned pace – much slower than the people they chose to start in front of!

Except for the winner, everyone in a marathon has someone running a faster pace than them. That’s fine! We need to run our pace and enjoy it!

But, watch out for the signs so you start with the correct group for your planned pace!

2 – Leave Your Boom Box Home

I get it – it can be a fun thing to run with your friends and to have a little party out on the roads. But, carrying a portable boom box blaring your tunes for the 200 closest people to you is just really, REALLY annoying! 

Not only is it annoying, but it is very rude to the providers of entertainment along the course to have you blaring your music while they are playing for the runners themselves.

If the race allows earbuds, wear them. If you want to share music, there are earbuds that let you do that. But leave the boom box at home!

3 – Step Aside for Water Stops

You are so thirsty and you see the water stop with waiting volunteers stretching out their arms with water ahead on the right. Grab a bottle/cup/glass and keep moving! It is not just annoying but dangerous when runners grab a water and then just stop to drink right there.

The best thing to do, if you do need to stop, is to grab the water and keep moving until you pass the tables/water stop. Then, pull over to the side of the road and take your drink. This will keep traffic moving and help you to not get run over.

4 – Step Aside If You Need to Walk

This goes along with the one above but needs a separate item number because so many people do this. There are many times that we runners will get a cramp or need to stretch along the course. That’s fine, we all need to do that at some point!

But, make the effort to move off the road or to the side of it out of the way of runners to attend to your needs. Don’t stop in the middle of the road as you will cause big problems.

5 – Watch the Gab

I like to talk with people during a marathon – it helps to move time along and I have met some very interesting people! But, be sensitive to your fellow runners. If you start talking and you are not getting any real response or it is labored, it may be better to just stop talking to that runner – or at least ask them if they want to talk.

For many people, they are really focused on running their race and they don’t want the distraction. Or, they may be struggling and not have the energy to carry on a conversation. If you keep talking and talking, it can be annoying! So, be aware of whether or not the person you are trying to talk to wants to carry on a conversation.

6 – Look Before Switching Lanes / Spots

One of the downsides of listening to music during a marathon is you may not hear others around you and you may drift or not pay attention.

Even if you aren’t wearing earbuds – look around you before switching lanes or lines in a marathon! It can be very dangerous to just move over without taking a quick glance to see who may be near you. Be thoughtful and look all around before sliding to your right or left.

7 – Make Sure You Throw Your Bottle/Cup Out of the Way

After you are finished downing or dumping your water at a water stop (or past one), give that container a good chuck to get it to the side of the road or near the garbage. Again, it can be a safety thing when you just drop it in the middle of the road as someone else could step and slip on it (or trip on it, depending on the type of container it is).

Plus, it can be a help to the awesome volunteers when you get it as near to the garbage as possible. If you have bad aim, at least get it out of the way of the runners.

8 – Don’t Go to the Bathroom in the Middle of the Road

You may be saying, “Whaaaat?!” But, I have noticed that in some marathons (especially some foreign ones), people feel more comfortable about going to the bathroom wherever they feel they should. In some cases, that means the middle of the road. Yes, I have seen this happen a few times! 🙂

I realize that most of us would never do this but I put it in here anyway just in case – and to also give everyone at least one that we can save we have never done. 🙂

9 – Make Sure You Thank Police Officers and Volunteers

I know it can be hard to talk at certain stages of the marathon, but still try to at least give some sign of thankfulness when you take water, energy drink, gels, etc. Those volunteers may have gotten to that station before you were even at the race and will be there for a long time cleaning up after all of us after we are pass. The most they may get out of it is a t-shirt. Make sure you thank these dear people for their help and support, which if they didn’t provide, most marathons could never happen.

As for the police officers, yes, they are paid to be there (most of them) but still give them a word of thanks. At busy intersections, they are getting yelled at for a while by angry motorists who just found out that there was a marathon taking place! Taking a moment to say “thanks” or give a wave can be a nice boost for these men and women.

10 – Don’t Stop for a Finish Line Photo

The finish line is right ahead, you are about to get a huge PR, and you want to make sure the photo catches that sweet moment with the clock in view. Don’t stop for that photo! Chances are very good that there are runners that are making their finishing kick and may be cruising in to the finish line and they have no intention of pulling up right at the line. You may find that precious photo has you on your face if you stop if front of someone!

Believe me, these cameras can capture some fast action and they will get that shot of you that you are hoping for. Don’t stop and cause a dangerous situation at the end of a fantastic race!

What about you? What tips for marathon etiquette would you add to this list? Has anyone ever done something really annoying or dangerous in a race you ran?

Featured image Courtesy coronado / Shutterstock