Friday, November 6, 2015

5 Race Signs that are off the hook

Before I dive into this post, I want to say one thing.

Thank you to everyone who comes to a race to cheer on the runners! Your support is what gets us to the finish line.

I don't mean to sound disingenuous when I say that some of the signs I see are...shall I say...outdated?

Today's Friday Five linkup prompt is Five Best Race Signs. At the Chicago Marathon, I saw a few new ones that made me chuckle.

This one:
source: www.popsugar.com
And this one--I cannot find a picture but I saw it multiple times on the course:
"If Trump can run this long, so can you!"
I won't comment on his campaign...

But there were so many tired slogans this year. Maybe I've run too many races. Maybe I'm old and cranky. But with 26.2 miles to run, a runner gets to do a lot of thinking. And here's what I think. It's time for a change. Let's get creative!

Instead of:
source: running.about.com
How about: 
"Your pace is on point!"
This is so 2015. Just keeping it trendy.

Instead of:

Hold up...I kind of like this one! I usually see the standard: "Run like"...Ryan Gosling, Channing Tatum, you know, studly celeb "is waiting for you at the finish line".  Not that I'd mind if any of them were waiting for me

Here's mine:
"Run like yo bae is waitin' for you at the finish line!!!"
Because Ryan Gosling is my bae. Just keeping it up to date, my friends.

Instead of:
www.strangebeaver.com
Grumpy cat is everywhere. And I'm a little bored. How about:
"FOMO? 26.2? YOLO!"
Too cheesy?

Instead of:
Well, have you see this one? Or any variation thereof?


This is so old! Come on people. You can do better. How about:
"None of the Kardashians have ever run a marathon"
Because they haven't. And never will. It's easy to keep up with them. In fact, most of us would pass them. With pleasure.

Last but not least:

source: www.liveinthemitten.com
Ok, worst, most overused sign ever. How about:
 "It could be 26.2 burpees"
It could. If my coach had anything to say about it...

Any ideas for updated marathon signs? Any signs that you get tired of seeing? Maybe it means we run too many races?

I'm linking up with the Friday Five for this fun post!!! Courtney, Mar, and Cynthia are the hosts! Be sure to head over and check out their blogs and all the links! Let's get some new ideas for race day signs!






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76 comments :

  1. CARLANovember 6, 2015 at 5:58 AM

    I love one I saw which read GO RANDOM STRANGER GO!!!

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    Replies
    1. Wendy at Taking the Long Way HomeNovember 6, 2015 at 6:46 AM

      I've seen that one so many times! Guess I am getting old and cranky!

      The worst one is "if this race were easy, it would be called your mom"...

      Delete
  2. Wendy at Taking the Long Way HomeNovember 6, 2015 at 6:47 AM

    And that's the whole point of the signs!

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  3. UnknownNovember 6, 2015 at 6:51 AM

    bahahahaha the burpees one. Awesome

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  4. Kim at Running on the FlyNovember 6, 2015 at 7:10 AM

    Too funny!!!!! I'm still waiting to see my boy Jon Bon Jovi along the course with the sign,"Hey there, KIM! I'll be waiting for YOU (and only you) at the finish line." It could happen, right? (or a gal can dream)

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  5. G-MaNovember 6, 2015 at 7:20 AM

    What are your thoughts on my sign that I held up for hours at the NYC marathon? RUN WITH JOY. Corny? I saw it when I ran the Austin TX 1/2 and it resonated with me and energized me. Reminded me of why I run. I noticed in NYC the majority of the runners that responded to the sign were "older" and "slower". Maybe for that group, in which I fit, finds it more meaningful. I was at mile 25.5-hard to find Joy at that point lol.

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    1. Wendy at Taking the Long Way HomeNovember 6, 2015 at 12:37 PM

      Not corny at all! I love that sign! Anything that puts a smile on my face on the road is great.

      Delete
  6. Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother RunnerNovember 6, 2015 at 7:51 AM

    Fun signs! I always appreciate them when I see them on a course but for the life of me could not remember what they were. Fun post!

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  7. MeridithNovember 6, 2015 at 7:56 AM

    Any signs that mention poop or farting - no no no.

    I love the "touch here for a power boost" and all the original ones I see out there. If anyone puts the effort into making a sign, I say yay!

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    1. Wendy at Taking the Long Way HomeNovember 6, 2015 at 12:38 PM

      I saw one that said "don't sh** your pants" and that really bothered me! So crass!

      Delete
  8. DarleneNovember 6, 2015 at 8:03 AM

    Yeah, I run a lot of races and see a lot of the same signs. But I still appreciate the effort and the support.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Connie Ciampanelli - RINovember 6, 2015 at 8:09 AM

    I'm the most uncreative and unimaginative person alive, so I have no suggestions.
    But I am right with you on Grumpy cat. I never did understand his appeal.

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    Replies
    1. Wendy at Taking the Long Way HomeNovember 6, 2015 at 12:39 PM

      I'm pretty sure that you are not uncreative, after all you are a writer!

      Delete
  10. TeamarciaNovember 6, 2015 at 8:25 AM

    There were so many good ones in Twin Cities but I can only remember the one that said "Squeeze my nipples for extra power."
    I use the term "on fleek" in all my texts to the teenager. Because I'm cool like that.

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    Replies
    1. Wendy at Taking the Long Way HomeNovember 6, 2015 at 12:40 PM

      I saw that "on fleek" when I was doing my research for this post. But I never heard it before!

      Delete
  11. Tiffany @ The Chi-AthleteNovember 6, 2015 at 9:04 AM

    These are AWESOME! I saw one at the MKE running fest this past weekend that say "Run like they are giving away Corgis at the finish line!". So I did. Kind of.:)

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    Replies
    1. Wendy at Taking the Long Way HomeNovember 6, 2015 at 12:40 PM

      Were you disappointed when you crossed the finish and no corgi?

      Delete
  12. Megan @ Meg Go RunNovember 6, 2015 at 9:15 AM

    I still stand by that Britney sign being hilarious!!!! The parade one is good too. I hate to leave a link in the comments, but I did a compilation of best Boston signs so I went back to look at which ones to share with you but they are ALL funny you I am leaving the link. http://meggorun.blogspot.com/2014/04/best-boston-marathon-signs.html I think you will like most of them!

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    Replies
    1. Wendy at Taking the Long Way HomeNovember 6, 2015 at 12:41 PM

      I'm at work commenting but I will check it out when I get home!

      Delete
  13. KelliNovember 6, 2015 at 9:19 AM

    Cute! I do love grumpy cat, though.

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  14. Rebecca JoNovember 6, 2015 at 9:24 AM

    I love your ideas of the Kardashians & the 26.2 burpees... you need to start the new trends - I'm tired of the Brittany one too.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Nicole @ Fitful FocusNovember 6, 2015 at 9:45 AM

    hahaha love the trump one! So on fleek ;-P

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  16. Debbie @ Coach Debbie RunsNovember 6, 2015 at 9:57 AM

    I kind of like them all. Not that I'm not old and cranky, I just don't race too often.

    ReplyDelete
  17. emmers712November 6, 2015 at 10:14 AM

    LOL at the "FOMO - YOLO" sign. That is so hip and trendy. I struggle to keep up with all the new slang and acronyms these days, but that one I actually understood without having to google it. =D

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    Replies
    1. Wendy at Taking the Long Way HomeNovember 6, 2015 at 12:47 PM

      I thought I was pretty hip and trendy until I saw the term "on fleek"!

      Delete
  18. Mary Beth JacksonNovember 6, 2015 at 11:55 AM

    LOL! I love all the signs! My favorite at RnR Nashville was the guy that held it across his mid section and said SMILE OR I DROP THE SIGN- I stuck my tongue out and kept running!

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  19. @mkeys724November 6, 2015 at 12:44 PM

    Very clever! I love your updates on the signs we have seen so many times! I am going to have to remember these the next time I go cheer at a race.

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  20. DebbieNovember 6, 2015 at 2:48 PM

    I would love to see some new signs, but I'm not creative enough to come up with them. Perhaps that's what everyone else is thinking!

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    1. Wendy at Taking the Long Way HomeNovember 6, 2015 at 6:01 PM

      I like any signs, but after 26.2 miles, you do get a little tired of the same old slogans!

      Delete
  21. Runs With PugsNovember 6, 2015 at 3:29 PM

    It's hard coming up with race slogans - I've had to do poster making parties a few times, and it's tough to come up with things that are fresh and fun and not too offensive. Either way, I love when people come out and cheer and I love seeing the signs along the way.

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    1. Wendy at Taking the Long Way HomeNovember 6, 2015 at 6:02 PM

      I completely agree with you--I love when people come out and cheer us on!

      Delete
  22. Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC November 6, 2015 at 3:36 PM

    HAHAHAHA. I am a fan of any signs but I totally hear you :)

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  23. runhikeplayNovember 6, 2015 at 4:20 PM

    Love your ideas! I had no idea what FOMO was until recently! I am pretty out of the times with the new acronyms! At least I know what YOLO is. :)

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    Replies
    1. Wendy at Taking the Long Way HomeNovember 6, 2015 at 6:03 PM

      I have teens and I take care of teens in my clinic, so I like to keep it fresh...

      Delete
  24. UnknownNovember 6, 2015 at 6:51 PM

    These are some awesome suggestions! I saw a lot of signs that made me laugh during the Lululemon half marathon this past summer but I can't remember what any of them said now! At the end of the day, I just appreciate the fact that someone took the time to make a sign and come out and wave it!

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  25. NatalieNovember 6, 2015 at 7:05 PM

    So funny!!! Love the Trump one and the Kardshians idea is definitely "On Point!"
    Have a great weekend!!!

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  26. Fairytales and FitnessNovember 6, 2015 at 7:36 PM

    I am surprised I have not seen a "Trump" sign yet!

    ReplyDelete
  27. KookyRunnerNovember 6, 2015 at 7:46 PM

    LoL I love your new sign - "Run like yo bae is waitin' for you at the finish line!!!"

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  28. Two Runners Travel November 6, 2015 at 8:36 PM

    I love your "None of the Kardashians have ever run a marathon" idea. I have absolutely no idea why people are fascinated with them....maybe I am just too old! I'm also sick of Grumpy Cat and the whole Ryan Gosling photo signs too. My favorites are the signs children make for their moms or dads.

    ReplyDelete
  29. jillconyersNovember 7, 2015 at 4:02 AM

    There are always at least 2 or 3 signs on a race course that make me literally LOL. It's part of the fun of racing.

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    Replies
    1. Wendy at Taking the Long Way HomeNovember 7, 2015 at 6:00 AM

      Hey, if they put a smile on your face, that's a win in my book!

      Delete
  30. Kathryn @ Dancing to RunningNovember 7, 2015 at 5:59 AM

    That Trump sign is hysterical! I try to take pictures of signs that I like, but that's only if I have the camera out and ready to go. No time to slow down just for a picture of a sign. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wendy at Taking the Long Way HomeNovember 7, 2015 at 6:01 AM

      I don't usually take pictures during a race either! I have to commit what I see to memory. Easier said than done!

      Delete
  31. CourtenayNovember 7, 2015 at 6:40 AM

    I wish this theme had been the week before MCM - I could have come up with good cheer signs. Since I mainly do 10 milers I don't see many signs when I'm racing, but when I do I even love the corny ones.

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  32. Sarah (Sarah's Book Shelves)November 7, 2015 at 7:02 AM

    Haha! Love these - especially the Kardashians one!

    ReplyDelete
  33. UnknownNovember 7, 2015 at 7:55 PM

    Ha... the Trump one is my favorite!

    ReplyDelete
  34. BradleyNovember 7, 2015 at 8:53 PM

    Haha, the Kardashians one is the best! It's true that some of the signs get a bit old. I still like 'All toenails go to heaven'. My favourite from a race earlier this year: "Run like someone called you a jogger" - that made me smile.

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    Replies
    1. Wendy at Taking the Long Way HomeNovember 8, 2015 at 7:08 AM

      When you are running 26.2 miles, you have a lot of time to think! I've see both those signs...maybe even more than once!

      Delete
  35. Mar @ Mar on the RunNovember 7, 2015 at 9:44 PM

    lmao! I am dying over this post. I LOVE your take on this theme. But the word bae, ugh. Kids - is it really that hard to pronounce the additional "B" ??

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    Replies
    1. Wendy at Taking the Long Way HomeNovember 8, 2015 at 7:08 AM

      I know...and my 16 year old cringed when I read that one to him!

      Delete
  36. Faith ErinNovember 8, 2015 at 3:43 PM

    The Kardashians comment was so funny! - It's easy to keep up with them. In fact, most of us would pass them. With pleasure.
    Love it.

    http://www.faithrunstheday.blogspot.com

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  37. Organic Runner MomNovember 8, 2015 at 9:01 PM

    Haha! Love the one about Trump. i once saw someone dressed up like a wall with a sign, don't hit the wall, and then I did! Not cool!

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  38. VITA Train for LifeNovember 12, 2015 at 12:07 PM

    At the NYC marathon someone had an actual blow up punching bag dummy of Trump. Now THAT was good :-) I also loved "Those shorts make your butt look fast!" But so over grumpy cat, worst parade ever and if it was easy it would be called your mom. Yawn.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Zenaida ArroyoNovember 25, 2015 at 5:51 PM

    I HATE with a passion the "Worst Parade Ever" sign.

    ReplyDelete

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