Friday, January 1, 2010

Nuisance runners?

I have classified below the different types of "nuisance" runners that i have encountered while running in races. Take note though that what may be a nuisance for me may not be to you.

  • The not-so-fast runners at the very front of the pack - i have nothing against these runners (and i myself not being THAT fast of a runner), but dont position yourselves in the very front of the pack so you can get a lot of pics. That place is for the fast runners/ elite runners competing for a podium finish and cash prizes.
  • The zig-zagging zorros - runners that will suddenly cut your path almost colliding with you. If you have to "cut" another runner's path do it slowly or even yell "passing through!"
  • The arrogant bastards - when i was running the Ateneo 150 10km race last month there was a runner who was around 2-3 minutes in front of us and have already cleared the final loop and when he passed by he shouted "Hi guys!" with that sarcastic tone while waving his hand with a big grin on his face. Good thing no one clotheslined him.
  • The hoarders - Some runners will grab 2-3 cups of water to drink and bathe themselves leaving the other runners with no water and will have to stop and wait for a few seconds for the support teams to refill a new batch of cups. Do this if there is an abundant supply of water.
  • The patweetums-group-runners - These "runners" will run side-by-side with their pals while taking photos occupying the path of other runners. Are these people sure that they really are competing in a "race"? Or friendster profile pictures is their main priority while in an actual race?
  • The snobs - these people automatically think that if you wish them luck before a race starts or congratulate them after a race you're out to get their celfone numbers or you're going to ask them for a date. The least you can do is to smile and say "thanks." There are still people who exists that simply wishes other runners the best of luck w/o other underlying intentions. Dont be a snob and dont assume too much.
  • The whiners- you'd hear these runners complain almost about everything after a race. There is not enough water, that the race is too short, that the medal is "parang-pinukpok-na-tansan," there is not enough FREE-bies (take note of the word FREE), the singlet is ugly, should-woulda-coulda, yaddi-yadda. Though i agree that some things are worth pointing out to the organizers, esp if runners' safety is on the line, but no single race will be perfect esp here in the Philippines where running as a sport is still in its infancy stage. There are proper channels where we can voice out our complaints and if these organizers are really serious they'll come back strong and better prepared for their next race.

1 comment:

  1. haha laughtrip yung patweetums.. ive had bad experience with those, talagang nakaharang eh..

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