NLAA Road Race Safety Policy

Prohibited Activities

For the safety and enjoyment of all participants the following are prohibited in the race. No Exceptions.

Pets
Bicycles
Wagons
Roller blades
Unregistered runners
Skateboards
Hand cycles
Motorized vehicles
Motorized wheelchairs
Walkman type headphones, or other headphones.
Running while pushing Strollers, Baby Joggers

Headphone Policy:

Headphones are not allowed during any NLAA-sanctioned road race events. Failure to comply with this rule may result in the following consequences:

Disqualification from age group placements.
No points will be awarded toward the High-Performance Race Series.
Participants’ names may be removed from official race results.
Official race photos posted on NLAA websites or Running Club social media may be deleted or altered.

These actions can be taken during the race or after its completion if race officials, marshals, or photographic evidence identify a violation at any time.

We kindly ask all participants to support and respect this policy.

Riding a bike alongside race participants:

For the safety of the other runners, riding a bike or pacing alongside race participants is prohibited. Interaction with event participants must be brief and limited to providing supplies or first aid support. Coaching is not allowed while riding a bike. Coaching and moral support may be given from a safe distance, sidewalk, provided that this action does not impede or disturb other participants.

Athletes Straying Off Course:

Each participant is responsible for familiarizing themselves with the racecourse. We encourage you to review the event website for a detailed course description and map. It would be unfortunate for runners to miss a turn or stray off course. Please note that the Race Director, course marshals, security personnel, event organizers, and volunteers are not liable for any runners who get lost or veer off course.

Runner’s Security

Once the field has spread out, runners should remain on the right side of the road throughout the race. On those sections of the course where there are two lanes, runners should remain within the right hand lane closest to the curb. Police vehicles will patrol the course. Race marshals with reflective vests will be stationed at most intersections to direct runners and control traffic. For the safety of all runners it is suggested that family members not drive along the course close to runners. This sometimes leads to traffic congestion which can be an annoyance to runners immediately behind. Runners should nonetheless be aware that they are running on public roads, and exercise due caution, particularly when approaching major intersections.

If you are running or jogging on a road and a car is approaching without taking a wide berth, don’t challenge the car or try to “hold your ground”. Swallow your pride and get off the road even if it means stopping for a moment!

If you are involved in a near accident or a dangerous or aggressive manoeuver by a driver, try to remember the license number and report the incident to the police.

When crossing a road, always use the “look thrice” rule which means looking for traffic coming from the direction closest to the curb, looking the other way, and then checking one last time in the direction closest to the curb. The reason for this is twofold. First, small vehicles such as roller-bladers or bicycles may evade your peripheral vision at first glance. By the moment of your second scan, they will have moved into your peripheral vision. Also, runners or joggers tend to “deep think” when jogging, or might be engrossed in conversation with a partner. This reduces the runner’s attentiveness to hazards. The “look thrice” rule will become a habit and will eliminate many hazardous situations which were not caught by a cursory first glance.

Do not jog or run with a walkman or portable radio or music-player under any circumstances. Some serious injuries can be avoided given a moment’s notice of an onrushing vehicle. Earphones will rob you of that chance by virtually eliminating your hearing. You will be oblivious to car horns or hollers to “watch out”.

Race Manners

Reprinted with permission of Freddi Carlip, RRCA President (Miss Road Manners) and the Road Runners Club of America. Please direct your road-manners questions to: missroadmanners@rrca.org.

In the interest of promoting an enjoyable race experience for everyone, the Road Runners Club of America sought the advice and counsel of their own race-etiquette maven Miss Road Manners. Whatever the pace, wherever the race, race manners matter.

AT THE STARTING LINE

Line up correctly. Line up according to how fast you plan to run or walk. Slower runners and walkers should move to the back of the group.
Pay attention to the pre-race instructions. Each race has its own unique properties and rules. What you hear will not only help guide you through the course but will also keep you safe. Examples are: stay on the right side of the road, or stay inside the traffic cones, or watch the course marshals (they control traffic to make your race a safe experience) for which way to go at major intersections. Listen to pre-race announcements that may include information on water stations, course direction, finish-line procedures and what to do with your race number as you finish.
Pin your race number on the front of your shirt. This is where it is most visible for race officials. It will also make it easier to pull the tag off at the end of the race. Miss Road Manners has been tempted to pull off errant race numbers. You don’t want to feel the pull of her white-gloved hand on your derriere, do you?
If you drop something just as the race starts, don’t stop and pick it up. You’ll endanger yourself and others. Trust that a race official will get it, or move to the side and wait until everyone has crossed the starting line and then retrieve it. Miss Road Manners waits till all of the runners have passed before she picks up the white glove she’s dropped at the start (after hordes of runners have left their footprints on said glove, it no longer qualifies as white*let’s call it grimy gray).

YOU’RE OFF!

Run or walk no more than two abreast. Keep the flow of traffic smooth. Other runners will want to get by you. If you are walking in a group, stay in the back of the pack.
If you are stopping at an aid station, move all the way over to the table, grab water, and move away from the table so others may get water too. If you want to stop and drink, move to the side of the road, out of the way of other runners. If there’s a trash receptacle, by all means use it. If not, don’t go too far with your cup. The race volunteers will be collecting the cups and will appreciate not having to go on an extended “litter patrol.”
Even those of us who perspire instead of sweat may have to deal with bodily functions during the race. If you need to spit, move to the side of the road and do it there; same goes for throwing up. If nature calls, pull off the course and check for a port-a-potty or kind homeowner, or, as a last resort, a discreet clump of bushes. Even Miss Road Manners, who admits to sweating, has been known to spit, hurl, and heed the call of nature during a race.
Move to the side if someone behind you says, “Excuse me” or “Coming through.” Yes, you are about to be passed and the person behind you is giving you a heads up. It’s proper race etiquette to let that person through.
If you need to tie your shoe, or stop for any reason, please move to the side of the road. People coming up behind you are still moving and if you stop in front of them, the scene is set for a collision. Miss Road Manners almost took a header in a race when someone abruptly stopped in front of her. In addition to the bruises to her dignity, just think of what the fall would have done to her white gloves!
Feel free to shout words of encouragement to other runners. The other runners will appreciate your cheers. Miss Road Manners is confident you will hear encouraging words in return.
Pay attention to what is going on around you during the race. Just as in real life, expect the unexpected. Think loose dogs, lost kids, low branches, and looming potholes.

APPROACHING THE FINISH

Follow the instructions of the race officials at the finish. You may be told to stay to the right or to the left.
Most races don’t allow your nonregistered friends and relatives to run with you in a race. If, even though Miss Road Manners frowns on it, a friend is running the last few miles with you, and hasn’t officially entered the race, tell your friend NOT to cross the finish line. He/she should move off the race course before the finish.
Once you have crossed the finish line, don’t stop. Keep moving to the end of the chute; stay in the exact order in which you finished. Please don’t get ahead of anyone in the finish chutes. This is very important for accurate scoring.
Enjoy the post-race refreshments, but remember others want to enjoy the goodies too. Moderation is the key so there’s food for the last people finishing the race. Miss Road Manners asks that you not cut in front of her in the food line. She’s as hungry as you are and she has a temper that flares up mightily when she is starving. Be fair to the runners who have been patiently waiting in line.
Don’t forget to turn in the stub on your race bib if there are random prize drawings. You’ve got to enter to win. Listen for the announcements.

Miss Road manners wants us all to have fun and stay safe while racing. Look around at your next race and heed her advice, lest her white glove reach out and snatch the race number from your singlet!

Road Running