8 of Best Things I've Seen at a Race

I've run a lot of races and they are all memorable, not just for my own experiences but for what I've seen during the race. I've been passed by lots of superheroes and costumed runners. I saw Dr Dribble, a guy known for dribbling a basketball for entire marathons. I always push the power button on those signs and I high five all the little kids. These spectacles and sightings help keep things light and take my mind off my own misery, especially during a marathon.

Since a marathon is 26.2 miles, runners have plenty of time to take in the sights. If you've never run a big city marathon, it's an experience unlike any other. Besides the running, the entire experience is entertaining. I've run all the distances, but for some reason, it's my marathon experiences that stay with me the most.

Today I'm sharing some of the best things I've seen while running races. Thanks to Tuesdays on the Run for this great writing prompt that gave me a fun ride down memory lane.

No White After Labor Day: In the corral my 2015 Chicago Marathon, I found myself standing next to a guy wearing a skintight white unitard. Nothing was left to the imagination. While putting some distance between Mr Clean and myself, I couldn't help but hope for his sake that he didn't have any GI distress during the race. For that and other reasons, white is never a good choice for a long distance race.

Not him but you get the picture.

Groove is in the Heart: Hands down, I've never seen anything better than the Frontrunners at mile 8 of the Chicago Marathon. It's hard to run by without stopping. Guaranteed to put a smile on the face of the most hardcore runner.

The Shower is Going to Hurt: How many times have you seen a costumed runner and thought about the chafing? During one Chicago Marathon, I saw a guy wearing a medieval style tunic and helmet.  Many miles later, I passed the guy. The tunic was off and his head, chest, and back were completely raw.

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Who would have thought wearing this for 26.2 miles was a good idea? 

We're Fancy: Two summers ago, Holly and I ran a small 5k in Mt Laurel, Alabama. Instead of the typical plastic portapotty that we all love to hate, there was a "Portalisa", a portable bathroom complete with hardwood floors, a flushable toilet, running water, and AC. I made a couple of trips, just to enjoy the luxury!

No One Left Behind:  I've run races with amputees running on blades. I've seen runners pushing a disabled person in a wheelchair. I've seen guides running with blind runners. At this years R'n'R Chicago Half Marathon, there was a deaf runner. Actually, since learning about Achilles International, I've been more conscious of disabled runners being led by able-bodied runners. When I see that, it reminds me that my struggles are minor. No excuses.

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A Brush with Greatness: Bart Yasso calling out my name at mile 13 of my 2015 Chicago Marathon. I met him at the expo and was so flustered, I left my keys at the RW booth. I had to go back and retrieve them. Yes, he's that charming.

The Beat of the Drums: The Big Sur Marathon is famous for its views and its hills. The biggest climb, dubbed "Hurricane Hill", is a 500 foot 2 mile incline, complete with gusty winds off the Pacific Ocean. To help runners on their journey, at the base of the hill is a group of Japanese Taiko drummers. We even got to bang on the drums before we started up the hill.

So Many Miles: Ticking away the miles was never more fun than at the Big Sur Marathon. Yes, the views were incredible and the hills were killer, but the mile markers never failed to put a smile on my face. This may have been my favorite mile marker, but there is one that features Bart Yasso.

What are some of the best things you've ever seen at a race? 

I'm linking up with Tuesdays on the Run: Marcia, Erika, and Patti.