To think organised runs are pointless?

The virtue signalling at marathons is bad enough. But Falmouth recently had a running event and the littering was a disgrace. Piles of chucked water bottles and empty gel sachets. It included a route that was on roads with no pavement.

I am a runner. I don't expect anyone to give a shit about my PB! But I do expect everyone to give a shit about the environment

Just because you don't like them it doesn't mean no one else does.

I don't run but I would think the fact that the roads are shut and you get to run without having to dodge cars would be an incentive to join.

And I can go out and run a 10k any time, and often do, but when I do a 10k race it’s a totally different experience.

Because the atmosphere is fun, it’s a good place to get a PB as the whole setting with the support of crowds and others alongside you tends to encourage people to run their fastest, collecting medals and T-shirts is cool…

Running the London Marathon was one of the best days of my life! It is something I look back on with some pride. I made a weekend of it so the logistics weren't particularly complex.

Atmosphere
charity fund raising
support along the route
medical help if you need it
Medal at the end!
feeling of a common cause, and support from other runners

None of this happens when you run 5/10/20k by yourself.

It’s fun, the atmosphere is incredible.

People cheering and running with others actually makes a difference to your time. My PBs have always come from organised races.

You could say this about so many activities in life. We are a social species.
Id also not really thought about the safety aspect either that PP’s have mentioned.
It’s clearly not for you, OP, but everyone is different!

None of this is relevant - you find it bizarre but many people enjoy it.

At a time when obesity is on the rise I can think of better things to complain about than an organised run. Either way, it doesn’t matter what I think, or what you think. These events are well attended, so people like them. I don’t enjoy going to watch football, I don’t start threads bemoaning the fact that other people do.

Do you generally lack imagination OP to really not be able to fathom that for a large amount of people, the negatives of the logistics of doing an organised event far outweigh the positives from doing it? By your thinking, why would anyone go to a gig when they can listen to the songs on Spotify, why go to a football match when you can watch it on tv etc etc 😂

I know nothing about running - I hate it as an activity - but surely it is not as simple as You can run a 10k, marathon or half marathon any time you like.. The organised run has road closures, marshals, pacers, water stations etc. Running it at a random time, you won't have any support like that.

I know, right?! Personally I hate running for myself, but I really enjoy watching the marathon, with all the stories and fundraising.

There’s a lot of anti-running fun sponges around this weekend! Several ‘what’s the point in running?’ threads. God forbid people collectively enjoy the same activity in a safe and encouraging environment!

I didn't say that at all. I asked a question! Hence the question mark!

And your OP didn't mention average amateurs, so hence part of my first response. I didn't misread anything.

Horses for courses surely? Organised runs aren't for you, so don't do them 🤷‍♂️ Some people like the sense of occasion of an "event" and the social aspect of running with many others.

How absolutely joyless. If you’ve been to the finish lines then you also know how wonderful it is to see the community spirit and people cheering each other on. It’s a sense of togetherness and unity.

whats next? What’s the point in concerts when we can just listen to the albums at home?

How sad.

Well, 50,000 people this morning think differently. I have done the marathon go and support most years and did the virtual marathon during lockdown. It really wasn’t the same my time was much slower as well because you go round in a mass. There’s something wonderful about doing it with so many people experiencing the same thing. On a smaller level, I know someone who park runs because of someone to pick them up if they have an episode. I know women who do it because they feel safer. I do it for the milestones and to find new places to run.

Go run on your own if that makes you happy, but lots of people like just the opposite. Both are okay.

But that is part of the reason for organised races in the first place - for people to progress to become elite athletes. Great for average runners too, but it's how people go on to become world class.

“I don’t want or value it so it’s pointless.” 🙄

clearly lots of people value having an event to work towards, to be accountable and to make it a ‘special’ run. Some people raise
money for charity, some people like the competition with others. Some people like to run specific routes with closed roads.

mainly, some people are not like you.

Even fairly (high standard) average runners need a time to qualify for other races in things like ‘good for age’ categories etc.

@ineousaFor me, yes, it’s mainly the atmosphere and the buzz you get from it. I have never run very long distances but there’s a huge difference between plodding around a park doing 10k and being on a course with people cheering you on. It’s addictive.

Ok, wasn't clear to me you were specifically NOT talking about elite athletes. so should these races only be for elite athletes then?

What about the sense of accomplishment from competing in the middle of something special with crowd spectatorship?

Usually you would be training near home, people would know where you are and you would know the local services?

Yes you can, but it cannot be officially verified if you are trying to break records.