Top 10 Reasons to Run in the Middle of the Road

Seasoned runners and walkers know the importance of staying on the side of the road, not to mention running or walking against traffic, during their outdoor training runs or walks. But this excellent safety habit has no place during a 5K, marathon, or any other road race.

Instead, the best place to compete is in the middle of the road. Here are the top ten reasons to do it.

1. There is no incoming traffic to avoid.

If you’ve had a long training season and have diligently stayed on the side of the road facing oncoming traffic, then naturally you can veer onto that same side during a race. Wake up! You don’t have to be there during a road race.

2. Others may pass around you.

First of all, most of the other participants in the race tend to NOT be in the middle of the road. Second, unless you are the absolute slowest runner or walker in the event (and good for you, anyway, if you are!), NOT everyone will be able to pass you. So the number of runners who would find you in their way is NOT the number of everyone else in the race. Third, and most importantly, anyone else running in the middle of the road who finds you in their path can simply walk by. You have as much right to be there as the next entrant. Be polite, but don’t be deferential!

3. You can get around the others.

This is like reason #2 but in reverse. If you meet another jogger or walker in the middle of the road, then you can go around them. A word of advice: if passing that person is too tight, or if that person is waving or waving their arms a little wildly, say softly, “Passing on the left…” or “Passing on the right…” before pulling into gear. your blind spot and then pass.

4. The middle of the road is the most level.

Road designers and builders intentionally crown roads so that rain, melting ice and snow run off to the sides. While the middle of the road is where the crown is most level, the side of the road is where the crown will have the steepest slope. And running or walking on an incline perpendicular to your path increases the risk of injury.

5. The middle of the road is the driest and free of garbage.

Paper cups and spilled water or electrolyte drinks at water stop areas tend to be toward the side of the road, not in the middle. And it is the middle of the road where liquids will tend to drain faster and where those who want to avoid water stops, and therefore do not have paper cups to dispose of, will tend to walk or run. By staying in the middle of the road, you avoid all of these tripping hazards.

6. The middle of the road has the fewest stationary objects.

Stationary objects along a race track define another class of tripping hazards. But stationary objects will tend to be on the side of the road. For example, water stop tables, trash cans, trash bags, and brooms will be on the side of the road, as will mile markers. And there’s only one popular reason race organizers put some sort of stationary object, like a sign, in the middle of the road: to separate the two groups of runners in a joint event for, say, one marathon and another. . half marathon… or 10K and 5K. Therefore, the best way to avoid running or walking toward stationary objects is to stay in the middle of the road.

7. The middle of the road has the fewest spectators. Spectators sometimes have to walk or run. – through the path of a career. So you could meet a bystander in the middle of the road. But most of the spectators on the race track itself, and not on the sidelines, will be on the side of the road, which they have intentionally detoured onto or exited to cheer on someone…or even the crowd. that they have been pushed or dropped. You can avoid these semi stationary “objects” staying in the middle of the road.

8. The middle of the road has the fewest potholes.

Drivers tend to avoid driving their tires into the middle of the road, to avoid colliding with vehicles going in the opposite direction. No, the most wear and tear on roads tends to be where vehicles are driving, NOT in the middle of the road.

9. The middle of the road has the fewest number of official vehicles.

The motorcyclists who drive the racing photographers and videographers around the race tracks tend to stick to one side or the other. The same can be said for police on horseback, medical support people on bicycles, and cart drivers. So the best place to avoid all these vehicles is in the middle of the road.

10. The middle of the road gives the greatest sense of control.

You have the greatest feeling of control when you’re racing in the middle of the road. In practice, you have the most flexibility to avoid hazards when you’re in the middle of the road. Psychologically, you are the “king or queen of your domain” when you are at the highest point of the path and you are surrounded by “your subjects” (your running partners). And a greater sense of control leads to less stress, which leads to better performance on race day.

There you have it: the top ten reasons to run in the middle of the road!