One of the benefits of running is that you meet a variety of people at the races. It is easy to meet local runners either while running around town or at group gatherings for a social run. At races the chance of meeting more runners from other cities occurs after you see them at several other races. When you hang around after the race waiting for the award ceremony and stop at the refreshment table there will be conversation about the run and a race you both ran a few weeks ago.
I had a chance to meet more than my share of runners when I became a race director and hosted various races in San Marcos. The Better Half Marathon lasted 33 years and many of the entrants were repeat runners so meeting and talking with them was easy. I usually drifted around after the race talking with the runners and asking them about the race so I could find out what was the good part of the race as well as what needed to be improved for next year. Every race was a learning process to improve the event and make it better.
The meeting of runners at our races was carried over to races that I entered in other towns and met the same runners that were at our races. It is amazing how fast you get to know these same runners and begin to share stories and training tips. The usual meeting is at nearby area races within a short driving distance of a couple of hours. It can also be out of state when you meet runners that you know. I was running the Chicago Marathon and saw another runner in the crowd wearing a pair of Texas running shorts. As we ran along, I yelled a greeting to another Texas runner. He returned with a “Hi, Moe, I’ve run your race several times. Good to see you.” You never know when you will meet a runner you know from running in area races and even out of state races.
