In the Long Run, Keep Hope Alive

By Allison A. Freeman Special to The Washington Post Monday, October 20, 2003; Page C10

The 18,000 runners who will take to the streets Sunday in the 28th annual Marine Corps Marathon are ready to endure the 26.2-mile challenge. But are you ready to cheer them on?

If you have a friend or relative running in the event, you may not have a choice. But even if your closest connection to the race is that it passes near your home, you may find surprising delight in cheering as the runners tackle the task that killed the legendary first marathoner.

Since a little pre-race strategy can help you to achieve your personal best as a cheer-giver, here are a few suggestions to consider before you hit the course:

Location, location, location. The fun starts at the Iwo Jima Memorial at 8:30 a.m. and rages on up to seven hours, ending back at the Iwo Jima hill, which has grown to Everest-like proportions for the runners. By cheering on the Mall or near Iwo Jima, you can spot a runner several times. But every runner will spot you if you position yourself on those parts of the course that are sorely lacking in cheer. Try the dreaded 14th Street Bridge or Hains Point. Rock Creek Parkway and the Pentagon are usually sparsely populated, and marathoners could use some more encouragement during the trek up Capitol Hill.

Know your runner. If you are out to cheer for a particular marathoner, find out her pace and shirt color beforehand.

Better yet, tell her where you'll be standing. Oddly enough, it is usually easier for runners (at least before the last few miles) to spot spectators than the reverse. Telling your marathoner where you'll be, including on which side of the street (try "runner's right" or "runner's left"), also gives her something to look forward to during the race. "Nine miles down, 18 to go" is not an encouraging mental game. But "Eight miles down, three more until I see my neighbor" can put some pep in her step.

Props make everything fun. Carry a sign or a balloon. If you know a runner, this will help him find you. If you'd like to get to know a runner, try waving a sign that says, "Nice legs" or "Meet me for protein replenishment after the race."

Practice for trick-or-treaters. Pass out hard candy or orange slices, and you will become the new best friend for 18,000 people. And while it might not receive rave reviews on Halloween, sticks topped with globs of petroleum jelly would delight chafing marathoners, especially right before the 14th Street Bridge.

You can also serve as support crew for your runner by volunteering to hand off items like a favorite sports beverage, replacement socks, anti-inflammatories, lubricant, bandages or the occasional frothy beer.

Take part in a little high-fiving. So far physics has failed to explain the phenomenon, but a slap of the hand transfers energy to running legs at an alarmingly high rate.

Make some noise. Blast your favorite tunes on a stereo or bust out with your musical instrument of choice (bagpipes, anyone?). A well- placed tune can carry a runner several miles. Tone-deaf? Ring a bell or bang ThunderStix.

Struggling marathoners are highly sensitive people. Thus, unless you are standing at or near Mile 26, you should never shout, "You're almost there!" The 20-mile point, for instance, is not "almost there." It's the point at which the average runner feels awful and faces at least another hour of punishing pavement-pounding.

"You're awesome!," "Lookin' good!" (even when they're not), and "Way to go!" are standard heartening marathon fare. "You rock my face off!" doesn't make any sense, but is highly encouraging nevertheless. Shout-outs to runners about whatever is on their shirts are also mysteriously pleasing. If you're feeling a little sassy, you can try shouting some of those things you think but usually refrain from saying. "Nice shorts, hottie!" would amuse random runners for at least a mile, and you don't have to worry about them stopping to ask for your number.

Give without expectation of return. If you cheer, thousands of runners will love you for it, but do not expect them to be able to convey that to you. Breathing is hard enough; forget shouting back. Also, when running with a sun- and wind-burned face, a smile is a heck of a lot more straining than a frown. Know, though, that the smile lies somewhere deep beneath that race-wearied exterior.