If you have ever run or walked a marathon then you will know how much of a difference crowd support can make. Being a marathon spectator can take a lot of preparation and work though. If you are planning on watching a marathon on the television, or if you want to be an asset for a friend who is running one for a personal reason then here’s what you can do to show your support.
Be Prepared
If you want to help, then you should know that the food stations and water stops are for race participants. Bring your water supplies and snacks, but at the same time, bring things for the runners that you are there to support. A lot of runners will carry their fuel or hydration with them, but at the same time, you need to try and wait in the crowd ready with any extra items that they could need. Try and take some first aid supplies with you, such as bandages, antibiotics or blister treatments. You might also want to take some snacks as well as some tissues and paper towels. Wet wipes and sunscreen are also very good investments so make sure that you keep that in mind.
Runners do appreciate noise and over time, your hands may become tired from clapping. For this reason, you might want to take a cowbell with you so you can show support without putting your health at risk. If you want to encourage people even more then you might want to look into hiring people to help with your mass participation events. We Are Massive has a readily available team of temporary event organisers, brand ambassadors, safety staff and managers all of whom can give your event the buzz it needs, while supporting the main attraction - the runners.
Make Signs
Runners love nothing more than reading a sign to help them on the racecourse. It also helps them to break up the monotony a little too. The enthusiasm from spectators, whether it is expressed verbally or even through signs, can help runners stay motivated while fighting fatigue. If you want to make a sign then do not be afraid to show a bit of humour. It will be appreciated and it may even help your loved one to push through. If you are showing support for a loved one then take the time to create a sign with their name on it. This will encourage them and it will also help them to identify you.
Respect the Course
Don’t stand or walk on the course. If you do then you will soon find that it’s not fair to the runners if you cannot see the runners from where you are because it is too crowded then move over or go to a different area. If you can do this then you will soon find that you can get a top view without hindering the experience of others.
Be Encouraging
Don’t just shout and clap as runners go by. Make sure that you pick up a phrase or two. A lot of runners list their first name on their race bib or their shirt. If you see somebody’s name, you can add this to the end of your catchphrase. This is a great way for you to show your support and you would be surprised at how much it could help you to have the best experience when you are out there showing your support.
Don’t Say Certain Things
Don’t tell someone to go faster. At the end of the day, every runner is doing their very best and in a lot of cases, they probably can’t go faster. If you can, you need to remember that each runner is pacing themselves and they need to have enough reserves left to complete the race. Don’t tell them that there is not long to go or that they are nearly there either. The main reason for this is that marathon runners do not want to hear this phrase until they are about to cross the finish line. Yelling out how much longer there is to go is also a major mistake. People want to feel as though they are in the zone and if you start shouting numbers at them then this can be demotivating. Sure, having a mile left isn’t bad when you look at how long a marathon is, but to someone who is at their breaking point, having one mile to go can be a major feat.
