Cheering Other Racers On: Courtesy or Annoying Habit

Today’s blog is somewhat a follow-up to my previous race review blog. During the race, I noticed something strange. Well, strange for most of the previous races I have completed. Barely anyone was cheering racers on. And I do not mean onlookers in this case. This race had very few runners and was on an out and back trail so I did not expect much of a crowd anyway.

What I did expect was more camaraderie among runners. It was July 4^th, the USA’s big holiday (only one person was wearing festive clothes)! With it being a small race by a local track club, I assumed I would see less competition and more people just out to have fun. But I did not really witness much of that. Most people seemed pretty focused in their own heads. Big races with professionals or those trying to score USAT rankings seem to be that way, not these smaller themed races.

Usually I will give and receive quite a few “good job runners” or “keep it up, you are doing great”, but I only heard one encouragement from a woman with a great big smile on her face. Of course, I smiled back adding a "thank you". There was an even stranger outcome when I cheered on the leader and the runners up. The leader just got a strange look on his face and the runners up did not even look up from where there were going. I get the focus that it takes to be in the lead, but I was still surprised. Mainly because at other races I will at least get a nod or hand-up gesture acknowledging the support.

So this got me thinking: is supporting other racers distracting or helpful? I know that it knocks me out of my runner-space when onlookers yell “just crest that hill and then you are home free” because often they have no idea what the course ahead looks like. It can be demoralizing to realize, no I actually do have a few more hills or distance to go. But I have always thought it was good form to be polite to other racers, especially when you see someone struggling or doing really well. I have been in situations where I just needed a little boost and a friendly smile or good job was enough to keep me going.

This all could be a symptom of my recent change in location. Since moving to the DC area from the Midwest, I have noticed much less friendliness among strangers. I have always felt that athletes are a community of our own, though, and are more supportive of each other than the general population given the struggles we face. Maybe I am just feeling nostalgic for a race with a Midwest attitude!

Do you prefer to be cheered or do you stay inside your own head? And is cheering on other racers a location- or race-dependent faux pas? I would love to hear thoughts from readers on this!

Happy to finish a race! (From the very supportive Girls Tri Too Series)