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If you're a new endurance athlete and you've never attended a race, this article will give you some important do's and don'ts to remember to make your race day go as well as possible.

1) LITERATURE

Read through all of the material provided to you by the event organizers to make sure you're familiar with everything that will happen on race day. Things are often done differently from event to event, so it's important to know the rules for the one you're about to race in.

The literature will provide you with info on things like (but not limited to):

• where you can park near the venue
• what time you can enter the race venue
• where you can and can't go inside the venue
• where you can leave your bag
• race cutoff times
• the course map and possible changes to the course

Some races are incredibly strict with rules and a misstep could get you disqualified from participating; that's why you should always read the paperwork, even if you're an experienced athlete.
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2) SPITTING

Needing to spit is common during a race. If you need to spit while you run, make SURE nobody is near you so don't hit another athlete. It's totally unacceptable (not to mention unhygienic and just plain gross) to hit someone with your spit because you weren't paying attention.

3) BE KIND TO RACE STAFF

The people facilitating races are almost always volunteers. Without them, there would be no races. Race day staff are there to keep order and make sure the event goes off as planned. It's important to be kind to them; even if you're nervous or having a rough day, it's never an excuse to be rude to the folks helping make the race happen.

4) LET FASTER ATHLETES PASS AND MAKE YOUR INTENTION TO PASS KNOWN

Sometimes faster athletes may come up behind you, wanting to pass to keep a certain pace. Make sure to move aside to allow them to pass if they're trying to get by. It's not cool to block faster athletes from passing you.

If YOU are the athlete looking to pass, yell to the athletes in front of you that you're trying to pass. Shouting out a phrase like "ON YOUR LEFT" or "ON YOUR RIGHT" is a good way to let someone know you're trying to get past them, and the side you'll be passing on.
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5) PAY ATTENTION TO COURSE MARKERS

As an athlete, it is your own responsibility to pay attention to the course markers to stay on track. You could be disqualified if you go off course, so it's vital to pay attention. Never follow another athlete who's going in a direction that doesn't seem right; following someone else off-course could still see you disqualified. (This is also why it's important to look at the course map before the race begins, you'll be less likely to go the wrong way at any point.)

6) BE ON TIME

Showing up just moments before the race starts is not only bad etiquette, you may be prevented from participating.  There are often arrival cut-off times, and if you get there late, you won't be let in. You want to get to your race with ample time to get through any check-in requirements, to get your gear to its proper spot, to get body-markings applied if there are any, and of course to get warmed up so you don't get hurt while you compete.  

If you show up late, some entranceways or pathways may be blocked off, and volunteers won't be able to let you through. If you're someone who has trouble being on time in general (especially for early morning starts), employ a friend or family member to make sure you get to the venue at the appropriate times. It's never bad to have extra time to kill.

7) NATURE EMERGENCIES (PORTABLE TOILETS)

There are usually portable toilets placed along every race course for athletes to use if nature calls. The race course map will typically give you a sense of where those toilets are located, which is another good reason to study the map before race day. Sometimes though, things get dire and a toilet isn't close enough. Just remember before you pull off into the bushes, many races are run through residential neighbourhoods and it's not cool to trespass on private property.

8) DON'T LITTER

If you bring race fuel in your pocket (chews, gels, granola bars, etc.), make sure to put your empty wrappers back in your pocket or into a marked trash can. It's never okay to throw your empty wrappers/packets on the ground.

9) URINATING IN THE WATER

For triathletes, nature often calls while in the swim portion of the race. Although it sounds gross, most triathletes have peed in their wetsuit at one time or another during the swim. It's just a reality of the sport! If this is a bridge too far for you, make sure to use the toilet as close to the race start-time as you can.

10) TIDY TRANSITION

Every triathlete gets a space in the transition zone where they park their bike and leave their run gear. It's very important to keep your transition spot tidy and NOT to allow your gear to overflow into the athlete's spaces on either side of you. It's poor etiquette to leave your items strewn around, and angry athletes have been known on occasion to "clean up" other people's messy transitions spaces in a way that isn't exactly friendly. (Your mess can delay another athlete from getting in and out of transition quickly so please be respectful of those around you.)

11) DON'T STOP ABRUPTLY AT THE FINISH LINE

When you cross the finish line, don't stop abruptly. Keep running to get out of the way of other runners coming across, or you will get crashed-into and likely hit the ground. Get well out of the way of the finish line before you stop to drink water or to catch your breath.

12) HEADPHONES

Not all races allow headphones. If yours does, make sure the volume of your music is low enough that you can still hear the people around you.  It will be important to hear other athletes, the crowd, and course marshals during the race. It's not proper etiquette to blast music in your ears to drown everything else out.

13) ACKNOWLEDGE THE CROWD

A race can be a painful time (nobody said endurance sports are easy!)  But, if you have the energy, it's a nice thing to acknowledge the folks who are at the side of the road cheering on athletes.  A wave and smile is more than enough!