How to Best Prepare Your Supporters for Race Day
One of the best parts of running a marathon (or any race, for that matter) are the spectators and the reservoir of “free energy” they allow you to tap into. Even more meaningful is having your friends and family cheer you on, and then seeing their smiling faces at the finish line.
Whether you have that one loyal bestie travel to a destination race with you (like I did for the Marine Corps Marathon) or have your whole family meet you at the finish line of a local race, the support of loved ones is essential to powering you through.
To make your spectators’ experience as fun as possible, and to avoid missing them along the way, here are 10 tips to ensure support squad success. Feel free to share this article with your marathon spectators!
10 Tips for Successful Marathon Spectating
Before the Race:
1) Communicate the commitment
If you’re running a large race (such as a World Marathon Major), make sure your spectators know it may be an all-day experience! Help them plan out access to food, restrooms, and places to sit, if needed.
2) Download a tracking app
If your race has a tracking app, ensure your spectators download it and set it to track you. They may need your bib number. Otherwise, consider a third-party app such as Find My Friends; just don’t completely rely on it. Phone service may not be great at a crowded race.
3) Plot the viewing spots
If you want your marathon spectators to view you at multiple spots on the course, plot the spots out in advance. Know whether they’ll be on your right or your left. Make sure they can get from one viewpoint to another faster than you can run there!
4) See and be seen
The morning of the race, snap a pre-race photo of yourself and send it to your support squad, so they can see what you’re wearing. Wear bright colors or unique patterns to make it easy for them to find you! Equally important–if you have hopes of seeing them too–is to know what they’re wearing as well.
5) Understand transportation logistics
No matter how big or small your race is, there may be street closures and limited vehicle access (including for rideshare vehicles) to the start and finish line. Public transportation may also be limited on race day. Make sure your spectators know where to go and how to get there. When my bestie traveled to watch me run the Marine Corps Marathon, I bought her a Metrocard and gave her directions to the finish line in advance.
6) Have a meet-up spot at the finish
Agree to a backup meeting place and time, because the finish line area can be crowded and chaotic. Make sure you’re as unambiguous as possible – don’t make the mistake that I made by planning to meet at the “equestrian statue” at the Philadelphia Marathon. There were LOTS of those!
During the Race:
7) Be sure to smile
No matter how much pain you may be in, flash a smile to your supporters! They will likely be snapping photos or videos of you that you’ll cherish later, and they may even be holding a funny sign or two. Don’t let them down! If Olympian Molly Seidel can high-five her sister during a marathon, so can you! Just be mindful of the runners around you.
After the Race:
8) Warn your support crew that you may not be “yourself”
Immediately after you cross the finish, your friends and family will want to know all about the race. They may also try to give you snacks when you don’t have an appetite, or encourage you to sit down when you know you should stretch. Meanwhile, if you ran your heart out, you may feel a bit dehydrated, light-headed, and possibly even a bit sick. Give them a head’s up that you may not be “yourself” for a while after you finish. I like to tell my friends and family, in advance, how they can best help me at the finish. This usually includes untying my shoes and helping me put on flip-flops!
9) Don’t be too ambitious with post-race plans
Be careful making dinner reservations or party plans immediately after the race. Factor in any resting and decompressing (and even napping) time before any big social activities.
10) Embrace being celebrated
No matter how the race went, finishing (or even starting!) a marathon is a huge accomplishment. Be enthusiastic and proud, and don’t dwell on any disappointing moments. Allow your supporters to celebrate you!
It’s also worth keeping in mind that your spectators’ support is independent of your race result. So try not to let how you felt about your race impact how you interact with them afterwards. They care about you, not your race result.
Vivian Vassall is a coach with Team RunRun based in Seattle, Washington. She loves working with new runners and those looking to breakthrough a plateau, while preventing injury, achieving goals and having fun.