Would you leave a friend behind?

[BurpeesAreTheWorkOfTheDevil]

If 2 people at different levels of fitness take part in a sponsored event for charity would you expect the faster to slow down to walk with their friend or get on at their speed and meet at the end?

There's a time limit on checkpoints, if you're not there in time you can't carry on.

I would yes and would expect to be left. But I wouldn't compete alongside a friend who was that competitive or that ahead of me in fitness where I would hold them back. You are responsible for each other... that works both ways

I’d be the slow one and I’d expect the fast one to crack on.

I'd agree what we're going beforehand so no one is offended or disappointed

Depends. Is it just a fun event that hasn't taken a lot of preparation? Or have you had to train etc? If it's the former I'd say slow down to be with your friend, if it's the latter go at your own pace.

I would expect the speedy one to go ahead. Not a problem

I'd agree beforehand. If I was the slow one I would expect to be left.

What did they agree beforehand? If I ran with my jogging buddies we’d go at the same pace as we’re both slow, if I ran with anyone else then I’d say crack on and see you at the end.

If you haven't discussed it beforehand then the faster person should wait for their friend.

Im always the slow one. I want to be left. Leave me alone and let me do it in my own time. I'm not quick but I'll get there.

Each go at their own speed and meet at the end, unless specifically arranged otherwise. If not it risks not being as fun for either. Did you get left behind OP? Or get an earful for going off ahead?

As it’s a sponsored event for charity, and completing it depends on being at the checkpoint on time, I would leave the slower friend behind if it meant I wouldn’t reach the end, and if I were the slower friend (would be likely) I’d expect to be left behind too.

Depends what has been agreed, but I would want to run separately in both situations. If I was the faster one I’d want to make sure I got to the checkpoints in time and if I was the slower one I wouldn’t want to feel I was holding my friend up.

The exception is if the main reason the faster one is there is to help / encourage the slower one to get round. Then I’d expect to stay together.

However, the likelihood of me participating in such an event is nil, so actual runners may have a different view!

Both do at their own pace. Its not really a good time to chat! Leave that for after its over.

If I anticipated being the slow one I would agree at the outset to see the fast one at the end when I finally finished.

Which one are you OP?

I’d leave them behind, but I’d be much more likely to be the slow one and I’d fully expect to be left. I’d be embarrassed if not, especially if it meant my running partner might not make the checkpoint.

You get caught up in yourself. Leave them behind.

Each go at own speed.

My friend and I always started race for life together but then It was every woman for herself. She was a better runner than me, I could power walk up hills better than her, we both came in close to each other, we were cool with that.

Agree beforehand. I've done a few events where I've run it with a friend, others where I've done my own thing . The key is discussing it first.

Depends on what was agreed. If it is a team event (such as Tough Mudder) you go as a group. For a simple running event (like Park run, 10k races etc) I would expect that you go at different paces according to ability, and meet up at the end.

I've done both scenarios with the same friend depending on the event.

I think it depends what it is. For me, a 10k race, fine, crack on and meet at the end. 100km? Go together, you'll need each other for the mental and physical tough times. I did RTTS 100km last year with a friend, literally couldn't have done it alone. She got me through the first day (I have a heart condition and accidentally double dosed my medication meaning my HR wouldn't go over 80) and I got her through the second day.

I'd check before hand but would basically go on ahead. Might sound counter-intuitive but actually having to slow down for someone can be tiring because you're not going at your own pace. Plus I'm just competitive and my friends know this so would probably just wave me off at the start. Conversely if I were the slower I'd be happy to be left. At a big charity event I would hope there would be someone of a similar pace to buddy up with for encouragement, if need be.

I'd agree what we're going beforehand so no one is offended or disappointed

This^. I would be the slow one, but I think it'd be selfish to assume someone would wait, especially in a timed event.
The only exception would be if the slower one really won't be safe left to do it alone...but even then, I'd expect a discussion and a plan agreed.

I would be the slow one, so I'd expect them to go on, and be a bit embarrassed if they didn't if it was timed.

I'd make sure we discussed it first so we both knew what the other expected.