Based on recent drama, i.e, #tutugate/#racebandit, I’d say it’s pretty obvious this is one group you do not want to piss off.
As said drama has already been picked apart every which way to Sunday, I’m not going to reiterate it yet again. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know what I’m talking about.
The outcry from the running community aimed at race bandits and, at least what I consider, useless, mind-numbing magazines, was ginormous to say the least. Online running forums, Twitter, and Facebook, exploded with calls to picket advertisers and wear tutus everywhere possible. To say it warmed my heart to see this amazing community step up and basically demand justice, is putting it mildly. Which leads me to the question – why DO runners stick together the way we do?
Social media has exploded with groups and forums for like-minded individuals. Had a crappy run and want to bitch about it? Go ahead! You have our rapt attention. Scared about hitting the registration button on your first full marathon? No worries, there’s plenty of peeps who’ve been right where you’re at and have lived to tell the tale. But go after one of our own, especially when they’re fighting for their life and spend their time helping the less fortunate? Oh, HELL no. You kicked the wrong dog corporate America. Be ready for the backlash. And no amount of apologies and interviews will make up for that. You’re talking to a subset of the world that remembers their time on their very first 5k they ran 20 years ago. When it comes to stuff like this, we have freaky good memories. FREAKY good. Like Super Freak good.

First 5k, 7/18/82, 23:04, 70% humidity, 56 degrees, squirrel running the southwest quadrant with peanut in mouth.
See what I mean?
I always love watching the post game interviews after the Heat have beat yet ANOTHER opponent. Whether it’s Lebron, Dwayne, Bosh, or Battier, they all say the same thing – it was a team effort. The effort in running may end up coming down to no one else except the runner, but I doubt there’s many of us out there who haven’t been able to kick up the pace just a bit when a complete stranger comes along, pats us on the back, and throws an encouraging “you got this” your way. If for no longer than the next dozen steps, you hold your head up a little higher, your pace kicks up just a smidge, and the painful grimace on your face turns into a discernible smile. Even if just for a second, all is right in the running world.
After all this, I guess the point I’m trying to make, (and a redundant one at that, I’m sure), is don’t mess with runners. We police our own, and even more so, we protect our own. Mess with us and you’ll probably find there is no bottom to our can of whoop-ass. We’ll hit you where it hurts the most – your wallet. That’s the beauty of this sport. There’s always another vendor, magazine, or race. We won’t be confrontational or rude, unprofessional or ill-tempered. We will, however, stand up for what we know is right and look damn good doing so in our tutus.
Enjoy the ride.
How do you feel about the camaraderie among runners?
I couldn’t agree with you more! Running, more than other sports, seems to bring athletes together to celebrate accomplishments instead of keeping them as rivals, as many other sports do. I absolutely love how powerful social media is in bringing us all together to support one another through the good and bad days of running.
Agreed! It always amazes how people you may never actually meet can become your best running buddies!
I think that the camaraderie is great in the running community as a whole. The unfortunate thing is that there are always some nasty people lurking in the community (be in IRL or online) that are just awful. I asked a question about the rules for pre-registration for an event and some guy raked me over the coals saying I was trying to cheat the system and I was horrible for asking it, etc…which I thought was completely inappropriate.
Am I missing something or is there some deep, dark, evil secret about pre-reg for a race? Thankfully, I think those types are few and far between. At least I hope so! 🙂
All I had asked is how many can be registered through the purchase of one annual pass for WDW and I got massacred. lol.
You are def. right though, that they are few and far between, but the few are mighty mean. lol
I think we’re all bound together because each one of us runners knows the struggles and sacrifices (or is familiar with them) that other runners make…because we make them ourselves. Loved this post!!
Absolutely true! Thanks Rachel!
I think there is a special bond between runners because we’re coming from a common ground of pain, sacrifice and pride. There are some k-razies out there too who like to stir the pot, but 99% of runners are happy to help and encourage one another.
Yes! Plus I think one of the best places to see and receive that support is at Disney races. 🙂
I like this post – the sense of community is incredible. I totally agree with you!
I love how when you finally get to meet up with people you’ve been talking with online, it’s like you’ve known each other forever!