| Experienced runners and walkers know the | | | | 6. The middle of the road has the fewest |
| importance of staying to the side of the road -- | | | | stationary objects. |
| not to mention running or walking against traffic -- | | | | Stationary objects along a race course define |
| during their outdoor training runs or walks. But this | | | | another class of tripping hazards. But stationary |
| excellent safety habit has no place during a 5K, a | | | | objects will tend to be on the side of the road. |
| marathon, or any other road race. | | | | For example, water-stop tables, trash cans, trash |
| Instead, the best place to race is down the middle | | | | bags, and brooms will be on the side of the road, |
| of the road. Here are the top ten reasons to do | | | | as will be mile-marker signs. And there is only one |
| so. | | | | popular reason why race-course organizers will put |
| 1. There is no oncoming traffic to avoid. | | | | some sort of stationary object, such as a sign, in |
| If you have had a long training season and have | | | | the middle of the road: to separate the two |
| diligently stayed to the side of the road that | | | | groups of racers in a joint event for, say, a |
| faces oncoming traffic, then you might naturally | | | | marathon and half marathon... or a 10K and a 5K. |
| drift to that same side during a race. Wake up! | | | | So you can best avoid running or walking into |
| You do not have to be over there during a road | | | | stationary objects by staying in the middle of the |
| race. | | | | road. |
| 2. Others can go around you. | | | | 7. The middle of the road has the fewest |
| First of all, most other race participants tend NOT | | | | spectators. Spectators sometimes have to walk |
| to be in the middle of the road. Second, unless | | | | -- or run! -- across the path of a race. So you |
| you are the absolutely slowest runner or walker in | | | | might encounter a spectator in the middle of the |
| the event (and good for you, anyway, if you | | | | road. But most spectators found on the race |
| are!), NOT everyone will be able to pass you. So | | | | course itself -- and not on the sidelines -- will be |
| the number of racers who would find you to be | | | | on the side of the road, to which they have |
| in their way is NOT everyone else in the race. | | | | drifted or have intentionally stepped out to cheer |
| Third, and most important, whoever else is racing | | | | someone... or even to which they have been |
| down the middle of the road and finds you in his | | | | pushed or have fallen. You can avoid these |
| or her way can simply go around you. You have | | | | semi-stationary "objects" by staying in the middle |
| as much right to be out there as the next | | | | of the road. |
| participant. Be courteous, but do not be | | | | 8. The middle of the road has the fewest |
| deferential! | | | | potholes. |
| 3. You can go around others. | | | | Drivers tend to stay away from driving their tires |
| This is like reason #2 but in reverse. If you do | | | | over the middle of the road -- to avoid clipping |
| come up on another runner or walker in the | | | | vehicles going in the opposite direction. No, the |
| middle of the road, then you can go around him | | | | greatest wear-and-tear on roads tends to be |
| or her. One tip: If passing that person is a tight | | | | where the vehicles run -- NOT in the middle of |
| squeeze or that person is waving or swinging his | | | | the road. |
| or her arms a bit wildly, then gently say "Passing | | | | 9. The middle of the road has the fewest official |
| on your left..." or "Passing on your right..." before | | | | vehicles. |
| you enter his or her blind spot and then pass. | | | | Motorcyclists who drive race photographers and |
| 4. The middle of the road is the most level. | | | | videographers along race courses tend to stay to |
| Road designers and builders intentionally create | | | | one side or the other. The same can be said for |
| them with crowns so that rain and melted ice and | | | | police on horseback, medical-support folks on |
| snow will drain to the sides. Whereas the middle | | | | bicycles, and sag-wagon drivers. So the best place |
| of the road is where the crown is the most level, | | | | to avoid all these vehicles is in the middle of the |
| the side of the road is where the crown will have | | | | road. |
| the steepest slope. And running or walking on a | | | | 10. The middle of the road gives the greatest |
| slope perpendicular to your path increases your | | | | sense of control. |
| risk of injury. | | | | You have the greatest sense of control when |
| 5. The middle of the road is the dryest and most | | | | you race in the middle of the road. Practically, you |
| litter-free. | | | | have the greatest flexibility to avoid hazards |
| The paper cups and spilled water or electrolyte | | | | when you are in the middle of the road. |
| drinks in the water-stop areas tend to be toward | | | | Psychologically, you are the "king or queen of |
| the side of the road, not in the middle. And it is | | | | your domain" when you are at the highest point in |
| the middle of the road where liquids will tend to | | | | the road and are surrounded by "your subjects" |
| drain away the fastest and where those who | | | | (your fellow racers). And greater sense of control |
| want to avoid the water stops -- and therefore | | | | leads to less stress, which leads to better |
| do not have paper cups to discard -- will tend to | | | | race-day performance. |
| walk or run. By staying in the middle of the road, | | | | There you have it: the top ten reasons to race |
| you avoid all these tripping hazards. | | | | down the middle of the road! |