My first 5K race this weekend..any advice?

Kyrrinstoch

Barefooters
May 20, 2014
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So I've decided I'm going to run in a local 5K race this weekend. It's one of those "Charity 5K run/walk" type things where the proceeds go to the local youth programs in my city.

Now, I've never done a race like this before, so I have 2 questions:

1 - Any advice for a first-timer?

2 - What should I expect as a barefoot runner?


For those of you in Minnesota, it's the Canadian Days 5K in Little Canada, part of our annual weekend long city celebration.
 
1 - Most importantly, have fun. For your first race, just enjoy the atmosphere! Make new friends!
2- Making new friends will be easy, because a lot of poeple will ask about you being barefoot! You may want to have a quick and easy answer to questions like:

1 Why do you run barefoot?
2 Did you lose your shoes or leave them home?
3 Don't that hurt?
4 How long have your been running barefoot?
5 Are you insane?
6 How long did it take to learn that?
And so on...

I have found the best answer to all of these questions is "I like gravy." It will make them not ask #5 because they will assume to know the answer, but it's a fun answer!

In conclusion: HAVE FUN!!
 
Ramzev, thanks. I get a lot of those questions from people on my morning runs already, usually folks out walking their dogs. It's typically something akin to "Wow! No shoes?" and I respond "Your dog doesn't have to wear them - why should I?" They usually get a thoughtful look on their face and I'm off before they can respond :)

I was more concerned about things like how to deal with registration officials that may take issue with barefoot safety (since we are running on public streets), where to put the timing/tracking device (if they use one), should I bring my own safety pins for the runner number, etc. as I've never run in an organized race like this before.
 
Considering it is a charity event, I would be surprised if they use a timing device since it isn't a race and these devices can be costly. Those I attended did not have any. Regarding registration, you should have already signed a waiver so I don't see this being an issue. If this is not a race, there is no rule per say and thus it seems unlikely that any one will truly oppose you being barefoot.

I'm not sure what you mean by safety pins for the runner number, but if you are talking about the pins to attach it to your t-shirt, I'd say they will be provided with the runner number.

These informations come from my own personal experience with a local charity 5k event.
 
I run lots of local 5k/10k's, I've never had an issue with a race director having issues with bare feet. As Josh said, you'll sign a waver.
These days, more "chips" are on the back of the bib (race number) so there's no issue there, pins will be provided.
If they are using an independent chip that needs to go on a shoe, simplest way around that is to bring a few rubber bands that will fit comfortably around your ankle. You'll be able to attach it just fine this way. I've even carried it in my hand then bent down and "swiped" it over the mats at the start and finish.
If there's no chip, there will be a tear off strip on the bottom of the number, they will tear it off at the finish. Make sure you don't put a pin through that tab when attaching the number to your shirt.
Get there early, I'm always an hour early for races. It gives you a chance to get the lay if the land, see a course map, relax, and warm up.
If you are expecting to compete for an award, check the results for last years race if it's an annual event. They are usually posted on line and if will give you an idea of what to expect as far as competition.
Have fun! Let us know how it goes!
 
Josh, thank for the response. They're expecting 200 or less participants (only have 175 t-shirts made...), so it's not a huge race.

They state that they're giving out ribbons for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers for the age groups and will be posting the race results on-line. I had assumed (possibly incorrectly) that they would need to track individual participant's time in order to have more than just the finishing order. My concern about that was where to put the tracking device, since most would tie the dongle to their shoelaces...
 
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It seems my event was very different from yours then. Surely another BRS member might be able to help you on this as my experience is limited.
 
For small races with limited means, they won't have a tag system. People don't get individual times. There's just one race time.

Whoever gets across the finish line first is first, second, etc. If there is a tag system, it is usually mentioned in the race announcement.

They will let runners cue up themselves. Etiquette determines who lines up first. Essentially, the high school track kids are in the front, along with the subelite. Then the recreational runners and middle age folk. Then, the walk/joggers.

Good luck!
 
Etiquette determines who lines up first.
:rolleyes: Wish that were always the case!

Even when they announce "Walkers at the end of the line" it seems like I still am somehow weaving around walkers for the first bit!

Does your race have a website? Most questions would be answered by reading that over. I've been to a few races that were 200-400 folks and they all did chip/individual time but this was all clearly stated in the race website. In the last oh around 3 yrs every chip I've had has been a b-tag, meaning part of the bib tag that has your race number that you pin on your shirt. Last shoelace mounting d-tag chip was probably 4yrs ago or so around here. I've heard some have used road ID's on their ankle, or I have some reflective ankle straps that I'd wear running at night that could be used, or probably just some paracord or something like that.

I've never had any race 'official' say anything about barefeet. Only time I've heard that even could be an issue is in a triathalon or something where they actually are governed by an organization like the USAT. Public streets are fine, if anything thats one place you could always go barefoot.

Getting there early is good advice too. By the sounds of it this is a small race that probably not in a big city so not as big of deal to be early. But a big race say >10,000 in a big city you need to be early! Traffic can even be an issue getting into town at 6am on a Saturday or Sunday because of all the traffic from race participants (make sure you know where all the parking is an backup parking). Shouldnt be an issue for you though, and I can't really think of any other issues you may encounter at a small race. If there is the option to pick up a race packet early I'd always do that so you dont have to worry about it on race day.

Good to test the waters on a really small race. You'll be more experienced for the next one.

Relax, and have fun!
 
My guess is that they will do individual timing, most races do. Instead of a chip, they will have a timer dude at the finish line who will click his handheld for every finisher which is printed out on a tape. The tape is then compared to the finishing order to give times (this is what the tear off tag is for, so they have the proper finishing order to compare to the tape.) I don't think I have ever entered a race where no times were given.
This one is for track, but same idea...

View attachment 4558
 
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One other piece of advice is to do a bit of an easy warmup run before the race. It helps you get into gear more easily for the run proper. For a 5K, even a quarter mile will do, though I usually run closer to a mile. Try to time it so you're only standing around 10 minutes or less before the gun goes off.

Most of all, adhere strictly to Ramzev's advice and HAVE FUN! There's nothing to lose here and it will all be excellent experience. Practice right now by smiling every time you think of your race.

Let us know how it goes, eh? ...also, where are you running?
 
I've done 4 races so far and 3 of them were bib tags. The other one was a D-tag and for that one I used a leather bootlace to secure the chip around my right ankle.

Like others say, have fun with it.
 
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Ok, so the following pointers:

1 - Get there early.
2 - Warmup before the race starts.
3 - Lineup with the recreational/middle-aged group (since that's what I technically am).
4 - Be prepared to answer all kinds of questions about running barefoot before, during and after the run.
5 - Have Fun.

I'm pretty sure I can accomplish all of those! :cool:

Registration opens at 7:30am, run starts at 8:00am. The route's been the same for at least the last 5 years and they're using it again for this year. About 2/3 will be chip-sealed asphalt, the rest is regular asphalt in varying conditions. The first 1/3 is a slow downhill, the second 1/3 fairly flat, the last 1/3 has a short, steep hill followed by short, gradual up and down hills back to the starting point.

Tristan - I've checked the website for info and there's very little there aside from the registration form. I guess I'll have to find out about the timing system and other details once I get there.

Ramzev - that link didn't work. I just get an error page. :(

Sid - thanks for that link. 's a lot going on for the timing that I had no idea about. :confused:

JosephTree - this event is in Little Canada, Mn. It's part of our annual "Canadian Days" celebration: 3 days of live music, amusement park rides for the kids, local food and business vendors, classic car show, parade, Medallion Hunt, 5K run/walk, etc. I figured it's a good way to get my feet wet (so to speak) in a small race event and it has the added bonus of helping support my local community.
 
Nobody mentioned that you have to wear a silly costume? I'm so disappointed in you people. :)

Go with the flow and have fun. Don't even bother telling the organisers that you're running barefoot unless you really want to - I usually rock up at the start with a minimum of fuss and just run, unless I need to know about the course.
 
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Nobody mentioned that you have to wear a silly costume? I'm so disappointed in you people. :)
Larry - after losing 75 lbs, none of my costuming (silly or otherwise) fits anymore... ;)

Run your own race, at your own rhythm and pace, forget about the rest of the people, be focus on your body, dont push, let yourself go and of course EYES ON THE ROAD (eyes only).

Success!

El Yuca - Thanks. That's pretty much what I'd had planned :)

My morning run today covered the middle half of the route for Sat. I think the worst part will be the flat stretch along the lake, as the chipseal surface is much rougher than I'd expected and the asphalt has significant areas where it's very badly degraded (exposed gravel, washed out landscaping and even some potholes!) as well as having a lot of loose small rocks and stones to avoid. I've already made mental notes for a number of areas to be especially mindful of both my running form and where and how lightly I step.