To the back, to the back!

Dear runners who are slower than me (if that's possible) and walkers and people with strollers at 5k events,

MOVE TO THE BACK OF THE GROUP AT THE START LINE.

I would like you to take note of the statement that I so very rudely put in all capital letters. My co-workers and I had a discussion on slow runners and walkers today. Part of our jobs are to set up and make sure that 5K fundraisers go smoothly. We get annoyed by (and worried for) the ba-zillion people who think that they should be at the very front of the start line.

Here are a few reasons why:

1. We don't want you to get hurt. Hard-core runners who are there for qualifying times or want to win "fastest" awards will mow you down. Please look around you and find someone who you suppose is about your same fitness level and start near them.


2. We want to make sure that people who are there for qualifying times don't get tripped up by people who "just want to see the start" and then don't move back. Again, they will trample you.


3. We care about the safety of your children. That's right. I'm talking to you lady with the baby/toddler in the running stroller. I know you're probably one hot mama and can run way faster than me, but please don't stand at the very start. People will run right over you or dart in front of the stroller requiring you to jerk the stroller in a motion that I'm sure is not either comfortable or safe for your kiddo.


4. As a runner, nothing sucks more than starting behind someone who you guessed to be much faster, but who has decided to fiddle with their MP3 player or shoelaces or whatever at the very last minute. Then you jog along like you don't know what you're doing and you cause problems for those around you, which again, is not safe.


5. If you don't back up, it ends up like this (Thanks to Failblog.org):

Really, we want you to be safe. If you aren't sure how fast you are, it's never wrong to start a little farther back than you think and then move up during that first quarter mile. We don't want a jumble of people crashing together causing all sorts of problems and injuries. Also, it's really annoying. Please act accordingly.

Thank you,

Me