How to Love Marathon Runners
Cheers are a great boost in morale, but every marathon runner has fond memories of this spectator , who had a great snack or motivated words at a difficult moment in the race. Here’s how to be that angel.
Decide where you want to be
First, a few words about planning. The marathon is 26.2 miles long and many races run a half marathon at the same time. Half is 13.1 miles, but its course may differ from the main event. Be sure to visit the race website to find out who is running where, and post yourself accordingly. Sample guide:
- Mile 5: Everybody Feels Good
- Mile 10: Half marathons get tired but know they will finish soon. Full-fledged marathoners get tired and try not to think about it.
- Mile 15: Things get tough. Most of the runners have been on the track for more than 2 hours. They have cramps, they are hungry, their legs hurt. But they are still moving.
- Mile 20: This is the lowest point for many runners. There is a saying that a marathon can be divided into two halves: the first 20 and the last 6.2. Most runners who hit the 20 mile mark are exhausted or soon desperate.
- Mile 25: This is the home stretch! The runners have been through a lot, but they know they are almost at the finish line.
World-class marathoners will cover the distance in just over 2 hours (for men) or two and a half hours (for women). People who train for 3+ hours are experienced, strong runners; Those who score 4+ often refer to themselves as amateur athletes. People who exercise for 5+ hours usually combine walking and running and / or started with one of the other groups, but eventually faced serious difficulties.
With this information, you can decide where and when to install. Since this is a multi-hour activity, you can find several places and move between them. Think about who will be walking past your station and how they might feel.
Hand out food
The posters and greetings are great – and we’ll get to them before, but if you really want to do something special, grab a snack or a drink, which the marathon doesn’t officially offer. This is especially appreciated in the last miles of the race. Some ideas:
- Slices of orange or other juicy fruits
- Gummy worms or other candy that is easy to eat on the run
- Starchy foods, such as small bagel pieces (this is the only time they can be cut in the St. Louis style)
- Salty food such as pretzels or chips.
- Beer
- Cold coffee (I have not seen it personally, but there is a demand )
- Cookies, cake balls, or something yummy. These people did not eat anything tasty all day.
Remember that people will pick up snacks with sweaty hands and little coordination. (They will also be much less interested in cleanliness at mile 20 than at mile 10.) Plan accordingly and make it easy to capture. Small portions are better than large ones; people can always take two.
Ease hot weather
Marathons are usually held in the spring and fall to avoid the hottest weather of the year. A typical marathon day is cold at the start and warm during the race. This means that by 15 or 20 miles, the sun may already be shining on runners who are already feeling battered. If the day is hot, consider helping people cool down:
- If you live in a racetrack, install a sprinkler or even just stand with a garden hose and let people escape.
- This one is great for kids: bring a super lock and a sign encouraging runners to squirt.
- Bring a cooler full of … something cold. Fla thief ice is cheap ice cream and you can cut it in half with scissors.
Give motivation
This category is the cheapest, but it may be the most thoughtful. You have a lot to say to the runner to give him the strength to keep going. Not everyone will be receptive to your message, but you will make a difference to someone.
- High five. Seriously, just stand on the sidewalk and reach out. I’ll fully liven up and cross the street to give the child an A.
- Creative high-fives, such as a “click to get bonus” poster, or wear a Mario costume and punch.
- Shout the name on people’s bibs. In many marathons, you can put your name on the bib under your number, or people sometimes write their name on their shirt. Cheer them up by name or description: “Looks tight, pink shirt! Have you received it!”
- Funny signs that look like really funny ones. I appreciate “The Most Boring Parade in History” and ” Looks like a lot of work for a free banana .” Sense of humor varies, but try.
- If someone is having a particularly difficult time, consider giving a few words of personal encouragement, such as: