aw basics

The top 10
... tricks to avoid getting squashed in the pack

TRAVEL PARTNERS

Mass road races have fields that can be overwhelmingly busy. With elbows flying everywhere and slippy drinks bottles covering the road, what’s the best way to stay on your feet?

1. Avoid big groups of slow runners by running wide around them.

2. Stay in the centre of the course as opposed to skipping up and down the kerb or gutter.

3. If walkers or slower runners are blocking your path, keep your cool. A few seconds running more slowly than you would like will easily be made up. Focus on overtaking safely.

4. Beware traffic bollards or, if it’s an off-road event, wild branches or rogue tree stumps.

5. Check over your shoulders before overtaking. It’s easy to cut up runners behind you by veering unexpectedly from side to side.

6. Plan ahead. Glance forward up the road and work out which route gives you the clearest path.

7. Try not to run too close to other runners, you never know when they are going to move sideways or, worse still if you are behind them, suddenly stop to walk or pick up something they’ve dropped.

8. Pick races with smaller entries or events that have courses with a great reputation.

9. Watch out for spectators, cars, motorbikes and push bikes, not just fellow runners.

10. Always run through the finish line, otherwise other runners might pile into the back of you!