Racing with a jogging stroller question

[rxbeth]

First of all, long time, no post.  Hi to all that might remember me!  I had to take a decent break from running after a pregnancy loss due to an SCH and then another pregnancy with an SCH.  DD is now 3 and my DS is not quite 5 months.  I'm back to running 3-4 days a week between the treadmill and my shiny new Bob Revolution SE.

Ladies who have raced with a jogging stroller in a smaller race...500 people or so. Do you start at the absolute back of the pack?


My Canada Day race is likely only a field of about 500. It's a 5K and my goal time is 30 minutes (pushing the 3 year old). I've done a few training races with her in the stroller and I've finished in 31:30. Prepregnancy, I could finish a 5K in 26-27 minute range. I do not want to start at the very back because it will take me forever to clear the walkers and slower runners. I want to start middle of pack or 3/4 back. What do you think?


I did email the race coordinator because there was no mention if strollers were allowed or not and I got this response "You are correct we do not promote them or overtly ban them. A couple years ago i had an incident with stroller used like a battering ram. Ya I know. Just start at the back. Clear the walkers and you are golden." Do you think that means the very back? Really, is anyone going to see me in the middle and give me a hard time anyway?  


breezy8407 and creamsiclechica - although you ladies are much faster than I am.  Any mid pack, jogging stroller ladies care to weigh in?

[arch01]

I'd start mid-pack. We've done that several times and been fine. I haaaaate having to weave in and out of walkers.

[breezy8407]

I haven't raced with the stroller before. I have seen people start mid-pack with them though. I mean, you are supposed to line up according to your anticipated time, right?

[rxbeth]

May 31, 2015 14:37:26 GMT -5 breezy8407 said:

I haven't raced with the stroller before. I have seen people start mid-pack with them though. I mean, you are supposed to line up according to your anticipated time, right?

That's what I thought but it sounds like co-ordinator thinks I should be at the back.  Maybe he thinks everyone with a stroller is slow?  I mean, a 30 minute 5K is going to have me finish mid pack.  I think started at the back and passing half the people is more dangerous.

[rxbeth]

May 31, 2015 13:55:38 GMT -5 arch01 said:

I'd start mid-pack. We've done that several times and been fine. I haaaaate having to weave in and out of walkers.

I hate weaving when I'm running on my own.  I can't imagine what kind of hell I would face with a stroller.  

[cinco]

Welcome back!

If a race director asked me to start at the back, I would do so. I have run a couple races with a stroller and was towards the back, but on the side. It involved a lot of weaving the first mile, but I can get into a faster pace the second two. I think it might be regional, but in races around here they usually specify to start in the back if you have a stroller. I wouldn't care if another runner didn't follow the rule, b/c it wouldn't really affect me (although I might curse if I got clipped by one, lol).

[sadlebred]

Welcome back! (I have no stroller advice.)

[rxbeth]

Thanks, cinco.

Around here races are really small and I've only ever seen one other person race with one and she's a high caliber triathlete. I guess my thinking is what would I have done if I hadn't asked? I only asked so that DD doesn't end up disappointed on race day if they saw me and said no strollers. I think I'll start on the side 3/4 of the way back. Ugh, I'll likely hate racing with the stroller.

Hi, sadlebred!

[rxbeth]

One advantage to starting slow will (should be) negative splits! Lol

[runblondie26]

I place myself in the appropriate pace group/area, I just hang towards the sides.

[pinkpeony6210]

I've never ran a race with the stroller, but I would definitely start mid pack, off to the side.

[katinthehat]

It sounds like the RD doesn't really want strollers in the race so I would do as he asked in the interest of being a good ambassador for stroller runners everywhere