Another notable interference- when Frank Shorter was inside the Olympic Stadium in the 1972 Munich Games, someone jumped out in front of him and as I remember ran toward the finish line. The author/professor Erich Segal who was commenting for ABC exclaimed something like "That's not Frank Shorter, get that guy off the track." Fortunately the only negative was a few moments of undeserved attention. Shorter crossed the finish line and received the proper accolades for running a commanding race in warm, humid conditions.
1
We live in a world in which self-control is sadly lacking.
From spectators who just can't help streaming into stadiums in order to jump on athletes, to Black Friday shoppers who trample one another, to tourists mutilating ancient statues for the benefit of their Facebook pages . . . .
From drivers who simply must smoke marijuana or ingest alcohol before getting into their cars, who absolutely must go 50 mph on city streets; to stroller-pushing mothers who also, in their way, mow down pedestrians; to commuters pushing into subway cars and brawling with and using obscene shouts against others who can't move farther in . . . .
To those who own guns but must have ever-more powerful ones and more ammunition than it takes to bring down a deer or a burglar?
To presidential candidates who just can't help calling on Second Amendment types to assassinate rivals and who, for the record, can't resist another helping of ice cream while denying others the same treat . . . .
To members of Congress who just can't help denying Americans the right to the same sort of health care that they themselves have, courtesy of Americans.
What a bunch.
From spectators who just can't help streaming into stadiums in order to jump on athletes, to Black Friday shoppers who trample one another, to tourists mutilating ancient statues for the benefit of their Facebook pages . . . .
From drivers who simply must smoke marijuana or ingest alcohol before getting into their cars, who absolutely must go 50 mph on city streets; to stroller-pushing mothers who also, in their way, mow down pedestrians; to commuters pushing into subway cars and brawling with and using obscene shouts against others who can't move farther in . . . .
To those who own guns but must have ever-more powerful ones and more ammunition than it takes to bring down a deer or a burglar?
To presidential candidates who just can't help calling on Second Amendment types to assassinate rivals and who, for the record, can't resist another helping of ice cream while denying others the same treat . . . .
To members of Congress who just can't help denying Americans the right to the same sort of health care that they themselves have, courtesy of Americans.
What a bunch.
4
I wonder if Mr. Prado hallucinated that experience. I've heard of strange things happening to mind & body when one does such extreme running, especially at night. What would be more inviting to a tiring, hungry male runner than to have nude women offer you food & drink?
Lol. Of course, I'm kidding, but now I'll be thinking this when I do a 12-hr run later this year.
Lol. Of course, I'm kidding, but now I'll be thinking this when I do a 12-hr run later this year.
1
Isn't calling a hundred mile ultra marathon 'taxing' redundant in some way?
3
Not sure this counts but running the Sugarloaf marathon in Maine we came upon a moose blocking the road. Everyone instinctively ran wide around him.
13
Most of the time spectators aren't a problem, and I have found that if I call out "thank you spectators!" along with the more common "thank you volunteers!" the clapping and cheering intensifies. And the signs they are waving can be heartening, funny, or puzzling. High fiving a row of sticky small palms is also one of the enjoyable parts of a race.
However, there is one place race spectators don't belong, and that's in line for the porta potties placed along the course for the runners to use. Twin Cities 2004 was a particular offender in that regard. If runners are standing in line to use the john, spectators shouldn't be in front of runners. If you're watching the race and need to go, or you have a child with you who's cross-legged and wailing, you can step away from the course and find a bathroom the runners aren't using. Spectators can leave the course. Runners aren't supposed to. Leave the portapotties for the runners.
However, there is one place race spectators don't belong, and that's in line for the porta potties placed along the course for the runners to use. Twin Cities 2004 was a particular offender in that regard. If runners are standing in line to use the john, spectators shouldn't be in front of runners. If you're watching the race and need to go, or you have a child with you who's cross-legged and wailing, you can step away from the course and find a bathroom the runners aren't using. Spectators can leave the course. Runners aren't supposed to. Leave the portapotties for the runners.
10
these people stop being spectators when they insert themselves into a sporting event. you can thank the big 3 U.S. sports for that where fan (atics) commonly engage in behavior to influence the game, including making obscene gestures. team or individual support can help build community and a sense of pride, there just need to be some boundaries keeping in mind it's just a game or a race.
1
I am always grateful for people out on the course cheering, and for all the volunteers official and unofficial. But my one pet peeve is people spraying water on the course on hot days. It can be really nice when controlled and optional, and really challenging when overly enthusiastic and unavoidable.
4
I find it hard to watch parts of the Tour de France anymore. The spectators on some of the steep mountain passes, where the cyclists are begging for breath, are completely unhinged. If they don't want to really see the race and cheer the riders on, why even be there? The riders are mauled and goosed, spit on and molested. Humans can be pigs, sometimes.
14
I have run twenty marathons and many shorter distance races. Having run Boston and New York multiple times, spectators are by and far one of the best parts of the day. Giving high fives to children and getting some ice on a hot day are just a couple of examples of how much spectators bring to road racing.
When it comes to spectator issues, it is mainly those who try to cross a busy race course. Actually, fellow runners cause more problems. It is becoming common for a race participant to stop mid-race and take a selfie to post on whatever social media platform they are on.
When it comes to spectator issues, it is mainly those who try to cross a busy race course. Actually, fellow runners cause more problems. It is becoming common for a race participant to stop mid-race and take a selfie to post on whatever social media platform they are on.
9
I 100% agree! I've run everything from small local 5k's to the NYC Marathon and the biggest problem is fellow runners not observing proper race etiquette: not seeding themselves correctly at the start, running multiple people abreast on a crowded course, stopping in the middle of the course to check their phones or take a selfie, etc. I believe racing should be inclusive, and I don't mind sharing the course with people whose main goal is just to have fun, but I expect them to be respectful of people who are chasing goals and PR's (not to mention trying not to injure ourselves in a collision)!
7
Theresa: The problems you cite are largely because many of the entrants aren't really racing. They may want to check off a bucket list or put a 26.2 sticker on their vehicle. I'm not suggesting we go back to the days requiring qualifying times, but times have certainly changed in more ways than one.
1
Theresa -- good luck with that.
My pet peeves are those who see endless opportunities for selfies right before the start and during the race, when they will slow or come to a dead stop to get that perfect shot. Kids running races can also get on my nerves, since some don't seem to be aware of others around them. I've seen too many near-pileups to count.
Most are out there for the fun and exercise, and I get that; but there are those others who see it a little more seriously.
Crowds, for the most part I don't mind, except for being told a million times that "I'm almost there," when by that time I'm beyond caring. But they mean well, and I appreciate them being out there.
My pet peeves are those who see endless opportunities for selfies right before the start and during the race, when they will slow or come to a dead stop to get that perfect shot. Kids running races can also get on my nerves, since some don't seem to be aware of others around them. I've seen too many near-pileups to count.
Most are out there for the fun and exercise, and I get that; but there are those others who see it a little more seriously.
Crowds, for the most part I don't mind, except for being told a million times that "I'm almost there," when by that time I'm beyond caring. But they mean well, and I appreciate them being out there.