One thing I haven't seen discussed ...
At the finish, if one has to run to the finish line on a beach/shore from the water, what is the etiquette on passing?
i.e., person finishes swimming in front of me, but takes FOREVER getting out of the water to the finish line on the beach (walking slowly). Is it completely rude of me to run by him/her?
-Would this differ between fun and more competitive races?
-If the person was a different age group/sex, would that affect your approach?
Thanks!
(I'm new so if this is already discussed somewhere, please direct me.)
Welcome Sara!
Yes, it is okay to run past someone who is walking or even running to the finish line. The race is from the start to the finish.
With that said, I helped run the Georgia Games Open Water championships a couple of weeks ago. For the most part the Games are what I consider a fun swim and a lot of folks walked the shallows and up the beach to the finish. There are a few real serious swimmers, but for the most part this is ends up being a personal challenge for the participants.
By way of example, in the 1K race at the Georgia Games a lovely young lady patiently (maybe you) followed an older gentleman (younger than me) over the finish line instead of running past him. It would have been perfectly acceptable for her to pass the man in the shallows or in the chute before the finish line.
If there is a chute that funnels you to the finish, I think it is bad form to pass inside the chute.
Before the chute or no chute - pass everyone you can. I get passed on the beach. It's OK, it's part of the competition. Wave when you go by me!
Rob-I think that was me. Congrats on the Georgia State Games Open Water Swim. I had only swam open water once before forever ago, and this was way more fun!!!!
Being that it was a fun event, I felt it was not in the spirit to pass, but if that would've been a gal who looked my age, game on:) I was shocked that I got third in my age group.
Thanks to everyone for your input.
On another note, I do pass in the chute in running road races. Most people I pass at the end are people who walked up every hill while my fat butt ran the entire race:)
It is true that it is perfectly acceptable and even expected to pass on land before the finish (and if the person in front of you is going Walmart slow-all bets are off). But...I have always felt it is a little bit...It is a swim not a run or tri or crawl. I have been in events where we were instructed to stay in line in the chute (which I thought was classy). Then there was the time someone passed me who had been bitten by a jellyfish or something. But the winner was someone not just passing, but almost knocking over a disabled person using crutches to get to the finish. I don't run fast anyway, and I am usually dizzy and wobbly when I get out...I'm just glad when I don't do a face plant. So that's just me.
In a swim race;
I'm not going to run past someone to the finish who just out-swam me.
it may be legal.... but it IS bad manners!
I knew you were a classy guy!
FRANKIE I would push:bump: you ahead of me at the line, my friend !!!!:D
Thanks OZ! If only I could get out the water ahead of you! I will have to train a LOT harder to make that happen!
