Since there are some marathon teams for Akron I thought someone might know. I've never run on a relay team but will be in November. I was reading reviews of the OKC Marathon from this past April, which I ran, and there were several complaints about the marathon teams crowding the finish line, jumping barriers to be with the team mate that ran the last leg, making it difficult to run those last few hundred feet without dodging people, etc. I do remember there being a LOT of people right on the finish line, in fact I don't have a picture of me right at the finish, they took it after I had already crossed and was looking around for DH. Needless to say I didn't order it.

So what is generally done at the finish when you are part of a team like that? Do you meet up with that last runner and run him/her in? Do you meet them after they cross the finish line?

I've never done one either (weird that I'm doing one in November too!), but I would think relay teams should stay out of the way until the finisher is across the line and through the finish area. I figured I'd get a spot where I could yell like all the other spectators after my leg was over.

When all of the runners are part of a relay team, like at Hood to Coast or any of the Ragnar races, I've seen all of the team run the last runner in over the finish line. But at a regular marathon? That would piss me off!

I agree with Illene........

If I just ran a full marathon, I wouldn't want my crossing line picture to be blotted out from some relay yahoo's......

I assumed we were just meeting AFTER the finish line??? The only ones who should be crossing the finish line are those actually doing the race. Not your spouse. Not your kids. Not the rest of your relay team.

You don't want the last leg? It's 10K I think.

I should probably start...I'm real good at starting marathons.

As I remember the OKC Marathon specifically asks relay team members not to do what you described at the finish line. I'm running it again this year (already signed up) and I'll read the rules for the relay teams. On the other hand OKC is pretty laid back so although relay team members are not supposed to run with the final runner to the finish line, I'm not aware of any penalties if they do.

At Glass City, we were there at the finish, but no, we did not run across the finish line with our last relay member. Can't vouch for the other relay teams (since our team was DFL...)

And yeah, if I was a marathoner, that would peeve me too big time...

At Akron the finish line is off limits to everyone but people finishing the race and the people helping the finishers remain conscious and upright. This is the way it should be.

So you could take it as an opportunity to do something out of character.

We ran Myrtle Beach as a team a few years ago.... we met after the finish line.

I can add that it is good ediquette to not be in the porta-potty when it is time for your leg to begin and have your wife just finish 5 miles at a PR have it negated by having to come hunt your ugly ass down.

That is just random advise. Genie will remember my fury.

Who's going to race this August in Ragnar Relay?

Got an insight here: https://247viz.wordpress.com/2016/06...r-relay-races/ especially to those who are in tight budget and first timers.