Etiquette for Marathon Spectators

(OK, so this is a few days late). We
had another great time at the Boston Marathon this year — it was
great
weather for spectating, but it really was a bit too warm for hard
running. (Over to the right you can see Rachel shouting herself
hoarse).

This
year I
noticed some pretty poor behavior on the part of some spectators, and
as someone who’s run a marathon (albeit, only one), I thought it would
be a good thing to post the following:

Marathon
Spectator’s
Etiquette Guide

Don’t
occupy the runners’ lane, even if it is wicked crowded and
you
can’t get a great view. Runners do not appreciate spectators as
obstacles.
Don’t
hand out inappropriate food or drinks (I saw some little girls giving
out Reeses’ Peanut Butter Cups two years ago, maybe because it was funny
seeing duped
runners spitting them out?)
There’s a
fine line between
encouragement and heckling

Don’t
tell people “Just two miles more!”, as helpful as that may
seem.
You’re probably wrong (I remember hearing “Just two more miles” for
about a mile), and that’s pretty discouraging when you’re
near the end of the race.
Don’t urge walkers to start
running again. There’s probably a good reason
why they have stopped to take a breather. The runners aren’t there for
your amusement — if they need to take a break, let them. Try saying
something like “Great race!” or “You’re looking great!”
instead.
Despite all this, DO come
out and support the runners! Even in a race like Boston there are
still first-time marathoners who really could use the encouragement.
Especially come after the front-runners have already gone by, because
it’s the folks near the middle to end of the pack who need the
encouragement — plus you’ll get a better view after the crowds thin
out.

Oh — and two tips for
runners:

If you’re going to put your
name on your jersey,
DON’T wear
headphones so you can’t hear us cheer for you. What’s the
point?
Men… wear those Band-aids. You know what I’m talking
about.

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