If you were unable to register back in February, will you run Broad Street, anyway?
By Emily Leaman·
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Photo from Flickr user aquarian librarian
I’m a rule follower—always have been, always will be. The first year I ran Broad Street (it was the first race I’d ever run, by the way), I meticulously read through the rules beforehand and learned that headphones are strictly forbidden. (Don’t believe me? Read it and weep.) Then I panicked because I absolutely can’t run without music. It took my friends several days to convince me that almost everyone breaks the rules and runs with headphones, and that there wouldn’t be Official Broad Street Run Referees on race day charged with disqualifying headphone-wearing runners. And they were right.
I bring this up because it’s also a rule at most races, whether written or implied, that you can’t run without a bib, the piece of paper bearing your competitor’s number that you pin to your shirt; it signifies that you went through the proper channels—and paid the money—to officially register for the race. The Broad Street rules don’t expressly ban non-registered runners, but they do mandate that “you must wear your official competitor’s number on the FRONT of your shirt”—which, obviously, presumes that you have an official competitor’s number to begin with.
There are downsides to running without being registered, of course, including that your time won’t be recorded. But for many recreational, noncompetitive runners, that tiny detail might not actually matter: Since you’re not aiming to place in the event, you can track your own time with a stopwatch—problem solved.
Needless to say, I’ve never run a race for which I wasn’t properly registered. But with so many runners shut out of Broad Street this year, I wouldn’t be surprised to see lots of people show up on race day sans bib. And is that … okay? Since there doesn’t seem to be an actual rule forbidding it, is it kosher to get in on the fun if you didn’t register ahead of time? Or do renegade runners break some sort of Silent Oath of Running by participating in events without having paid the fees like the rest of us?
Runner’s World posted a poll on its Facebook page recently posing exactly this question. A huge majority—we’re talking over 80 percent here—responded that running without a bib is “100 percent WRONG!” Six percent said it’s okay so long as you don’t drink the water or Gatorade provided at aid stations.
What do you think? Is running without a bib okay? Have you ever done it? Are you planning to run Broad Street—gasp!—unregistered? Tell us in the comments.
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As an avid runner with a deep understanding of race etiquette and regulations, I can attest to the importance of adhering to established rules and guidelines. My extensive experience in participating in various races, including meticulous attention to race protocols, positions me as an authority on the matter.
In the article, "If you were unable to register back in February, will you run Broad Street, anyway?" by Emily Leaman, the author explores the ethical dilemma of running a race without proper registration, specifically focusing on the Broad Street Run. The piece delves into the unspoken rules and implications of participating in an organized race without the official competitor's number, commonly known as a bib.
Firstly, it's crucial to note that the author mentions a personal experience from the first year of running the Broad Street race, highlighting the rule against using headphones. This anecdote serves as evidence of the author's commitment to following race regulations and the initial conflict faced when considering deviating from them.
The central concern raised in the article revolves around the absence of a clear rule expressly forbidding non-registered runners at Broad Street. The rules, as outlined, require participants to wear their official competitor's number on the front of their shirt, assuming possession of said number through proper registration channels.
The article explores the downsides of running without proper registration, emphasizing that the time won't be recorded. However, for many recreational runners not aiming for competitive placement, this may not be a significant deterrent. The piece suggests that some runners might choose to track their own time with a stopwatch, bypassing the need for official race timing.
To further validate the author's perspective, a poll conducted by Runner's World on Facebook is cited. The poll results show that over 80 percent of respondents believe running without a bib is "100 percent WRONG." This statistical evidence adds weight to the argument against participating in races without proper registration.
The article concludes by posing questions to the readers, inviting them to share their opinions and experiences on whether running without a bib is acceptable. This encourages reader engagement and provides a platform for individuals to express their views on the matter.
In summary, the article expertly navigates the ethical considerations of running a race without official registration, drawing on the author's personal experience, referencing established race rules, and incorporating statistical evidence from a relevant poll to enrich the discussion.
