Best Race Signs

on April 16, 2011
in All Posts

It’s raining, it’s pouring…

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I would love to be back in bed and snoring!   But I’m not – I’m up and ready to tackle the day.  Yesterday was very productive, and I’m hoping to replicating my noteworthy writing spree again today.

 

Productive face:

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Alright, that productive face was staged. :) 

 

Breakfast was whole wheat blueberry pancakes.  I used the Hodgson Mills mix.

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With a banana and some Greek yogurt on top. So much better than syrup.

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So – I’ve got a fun reader question for you all!

 

Dana wrote, “In two weeks, I am cheering on a couple of first-time half-marathoners.  I am so used to being the one who is running the races, but am excited to be cheering on the sidelines this time.  I am wondering if you could do a call-out to your readers on what some of the best race signs they have seen say.”

 

Here are some of my favorite signs that I’ve seen during my own races and on other people’s blogs:

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Do you have a winning race sign phrase?

{ 144 comments }

 

  • Evan Thomas April 16, 2011, 9:42 am

    My favorite signs from the national were “Your ass looks great” and “That’s what she said” which had people around it yelling “You’re almost there. It doesn’t get any harder than this. Keep it up. This is so long.”

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) April 16, 2011, 9:46 am

    I don’t, but I love these! Marathoners/runners are so inspiring. My kids ran their first 5k last weekend with no training and I was so inspired the energy and drive of kids. Have a great day Caitlin and good luck with your to do list!

  • Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope April 16, 2011, 9:47 am

    Oh wow, that greek yogurt topping looks incredible! What a great way to switch up classic pancakes.

    Love all the signs! Great ideas!

  • Melissa @ Be Not Simply Good April 16, 2011, 9:52 am

    Fun post! I especially like the “Kick some asphalt!” sentiment. 🙂 I also love the “Go Mommy!” signs. I love when my family cheers me on. 🙂

  • Kelly April 16, 2011, 9:56 am

    These are awesome! I did a “Keep Calm and RUN” poster for my sister’s half last year and I got a lot of positive comments from people running by 🙂

  • Rachel @ The Perseverance Diaries April 16, 2011, 9:56 am

    I must say I do love that Chuck Norris sign the best! Haha.

    I’ve never ran a race but I plan on starting with a 1/2 marathon in my near future with my sister. I will for sure make my family make some funny signs for us.

  • Jenny @ Fitness Health and Food April 16, 2011, 9:57 am

    haha those are great!

    maybe “you are stronger than think you are” or something to that effect just to give runners a little boost if they’re feeling defeated 🙂

  • carpensm @ A Life Without Ice Cream April 16, 2011, 9:59 am

    OMG those were fantastic! My personal favourites: “Chuck Norris never ran a marathon” and “New Years Resolution? Check” So good!

    I only just started doing races but during my first 5k I was actually shocked at how much people were cheering for everyone. And EVERYONE, not just the ppl they knew. It was such an amazing feeling.

  • Amanda- The Nutritionist Reviews April 16, 2011, 9:59 am

    I love the productive face with the glass of wine! Have a great weekend.

  • Jaclyn April 16, 2011, 10:01 am

    Love all of those signs! My favorite race sign was one I saw while running the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler. There was a guy on the side of the road with a sign that said “If you think this is hard, try dating me!” I actually LOL’ed in the middle of a 10 mile race! That kept me going for another 3 miles or so. Awesome.

    • Caitlin April 16, 2011, 10:02 am

      WIN.

    • Evan Thomas April 16, 2011, 2:28 pm

      I am SO using that one one day.

    • Katie April 16, 2011, 5:16 pm

      That sign made me laugh out loud in the middle of the race too!

    • Rosi April 16, 2011, 11:35 pm

      That’s awesome!

    • Kathy @ newlywedindc April 18, 2011, 8:39 pm

      I saw that one too at the Cherry Blossom! Loved it.

  • Megan @ On the Road Again April 16, 2011, 10:01 am

    First off – I love the glass of wine in your productivity photo. Awesome 🙂

    Race signs: The ones you posted are hilarious. Especially the Chuck Norris one.

    I saw one at mile 19 of my first marathon that said “Less than 1% of Americans have run a marathon. You are one of those 1%.” That made me tear up and power through those last miles, for sure.

    • Caitlin April 16, 2011, 10:02 am

      That is a good race sign!

      • JenATX April 16, 2011, 12:00 pm

        Agreed! What a cool way to put things in perspective.

        And I think funny signs are the best… I’m not a comedian so I’d have to go to google to find some ideas ha

  • Heather April 16, 2011, 10:06 am

    My sister makes the best signs. One was “run like the cops are chasing you” (Which was at a police half marathon), at the same race but in a different location, she blew up an extremely ridiculous picture of me on a poster to make me laugh, and so did every other runner of the race! I enjoyed the comments later from other runners “was that YOU on that poster??”

    I made a sign for a kids of steel triathlon, and on one side I was cheering for one kid, and on the other side I was cheering for another kid, so I had to quickly turn the sign around every time one or the other ran, biked or swam by. It was stressful! But adorable. If anyone wants to say “awwww” a bunch, go to a kids triathlon!

  • Caitlin @ The Caitie Experiment April 16, 2011, 10:11 am

    AHHHH these are so great!! A bunch of friends and I are spectating Boston on Monday and have been trying to come up with sign ideas; I am totally loving the Chuck Norris one! I think I love spectating even more than I love running…it’s so inspiring to see so many people unselfishly cheering others on, and all that positivity without a bunch of subtext. I just love it!

  • julie @ pbfingers April 16, 2011, 10:11 am

    The best race sign I ever saw was during the Chicago Rock ‘n’ Roll half marathon. A guy held up a sign for his wife that said “You may be in 5,698 place, but you’re number one in my heart!” I thought it was adorable and it definitely made me laugh.

    • JenATX April 16, 2011, 12:01 pm

      awwwwww so cheesy but so sweet!

  • Cate April 16, 2011, 10:13 am

    Even though it’s political, the best sign I’ve seen was at the Philadelphia Marathon saying, “If Palin can run, so can you!”

  • Kristen April 16, 2011, 10:17 am

    My favorite one I saw was at the Lewis + Clark Marathon in St. Charles, MO last October. It said, “Run Faster… I just farted!”

    • JenATX April 16, 2011, 12:02 pm

      ha! hahaha ok i’m getting too much enjoyment out of reading all of these

    • julie @ pbfingers April 16, 2011, 1:49 pm

      best sign ever!!! i love potty humor. 😉

  • Morgan @ Life After Bagels April 16, 2011, 10:21 am

    I’m honestly dying at that Chuck Norris sign

  • Marisa @ Loser for Life April 16, 2011, 10:28 am

    My favorite that I saw during The Philly Marathon was ” You actually paid money to do this??”! Cracked me up!

    Hope you have another productive day, Caitlin!

  • Ashley April 16, 2011, 10:36 am

    I’m getting ready for another long run and this made my morning! Thank you! Chuck Norris never ran a marathon…I’m going to remember that!

    And to your reader: please please please don’t shout “you’re almost there!” I hate it when people yell that. One mile can seem SOOOO far!

    I also loved someone’s sign with Pooh Bear on it which said “You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem!”

  • Camille April 16, 2011, 10:40 am

    I saw one when I was running the Portland Marathon that said, “Toenails are for losers.”
    It give me a great laugh 🙂

    • Orla April 16, 2011, 12:07 pm

      toenails are totally over-rated. Once you have lost a couple of them you can get really creative with nail polish.

  • molly l. April 16, 2011, 10:43 am

    a few weeks ago i ran the Carlsbad All Day 25K and Lululemon had some of the best signs I’ve EVER seen, my husband and I couldn’t stop talking and laughing about them during the race. Some of my favorites were “Run Now, Tequila Later”; “You’ve Got Great Endurance, Call Me”. “That’s not sweat, that’s your fat cells crying” and the “Chuck Norris Never Ran a Marathon”— love those Lulu signs!

    • Stephanie April 16, 2011, 1:12 pm

      I saw one like that too! I ran the DC National Half last year, and saw a sign that said “I like your endurance…call me!” and it was definitely the best sign I’ve ever seen!

  • Griffin April 16, 2011, 10:46 am

    A few of my favorites:

    “Ok. Which one of you fartlek’d?”

    “Getting up early to make this sign was hard too”

    “Embrace the suck”

    And my personal favorite:

    “Google results are forever. Keep running.”

  • Katie @ Nourishing Flourishing April 16, 2011, 10:46 am

    Bahahaha! I love the Chuck Norris sign!!! When I used to run, I WISH I could have seen the sign “Don’t Poop Yourself”. That would have made me feel like I could make it to the end. There were undeniably moments I questioned the truth of that statement….!!! 😉

  • Cait @ Beyond Bananas April 16, 2011, 10:51 am

    Hahah.. my favorites… Chuck Norris never Ran a Marathon….

    Don’t Poop Your Pants. CLASSIC!

    Hope you get everything accomplished that you hope to today!

  • Gracie (complicated day) April 16, 2011, 10:51 am

    At a half-full split: “Runners to the left, Masochists to the right”.

  • Baking 'n' Books April 16, 2011, 10:52 am

    When I used to race years ago I was always conflicted about signs and cheering…sometimes it was good – most times, when in pain or struggling or fighting the wind and rain – I felt like “flipping them off” (I. am. a. Horrible. Person. I know.).

    So I think I’d just want it to simply say – “Just Get It Done”.

  • Meghan April 16, 2011, 10:53 am

    During my recent half marathon I saw a couple of signs that definitely had me laughing, I can’t remember all the great ones but two that stick out were.. “You actually paid money to do this?!” and “Cause 13.2 would just be crazy!” I LOVE race spectators, they are the greatest!!!

    • Rachel April 16, 2011, 9:23 pm

      At my first half marathon a couple weeks ago, I also saw “Cause 13.2 would just be crazy.” Other memorable ones were: “There is no speed limit” and “One a scale of 1-10, you’re a 13.1!”

      There was also a little girl holding a sign that said “My dad runs faster than your dad.” Her dad happened to be just ahead of me, so I saw him stop and give his kid a hug. Adorable.

  • Molly @ RDexposed April 16, 2011, 10:54 am

    I love these signs!! I don’t remember any signs during my half probably because it was full on tunnel vision. I did have the quote “When you’re at the end of your rope, tie a knot and hold on,” going through my head though

  • Caitlyn (The Spoonful of Life) April 16, 2011, 10:59 am

    I really like the one that says “Pain is temporary, Finishing is forever!” How true! The reason we train for races is so that we can push through the “pain” we feel race day.

    The “poop” sign would make me laugh so hard I would have to stop running =)

  • Kierstan @ Life {and running} in Iowa April 16, 2011, 11:04 am

    Two that I always remember:

    “Meth kills, use SPEED” – edgy, I liked it.

    My favorite though was one that this little kid was holding, while sitting in a lawn chair with an empty bucket. He sign read, “WORST PARADE EVER.” HA! I wish I had a GU I could have thrown him!

    • Gracie (complicated day) April 16, 2011, 1:18 pm

      I LOVE worst parade ever – that would go over big here in New Orleans, especially for the Mardi Gras marathon.

  • Jenn April 16, 2011, 11:05 am

    Last year when I ran the Rock N’Roll Marathon I was beginning to get annoyed by all the great supportive cheer leaders on along the route. I really appreciate all their support and it helped to get through the rough patches of the run, except for one thing…at mile 8 of 26.2, it was when I began to hear “You are almost there, keep going.” This continued on and I was being to get annoyed by the deceit. I was at mile 8 and was NOT almost to the finish line. I apologize if I am coming off a bit too unappreciative by this one phrase of encouragement that works so well at mile 20 when you hit “the wall”. It was about mile 14 when I heard the most amazing statement by a an older guy on the sideline…”For all those people who are telling you that you are almost there, don’t listen. They are lying to you…you still have just over 12 more miles to go. So pace yourself well!”. AWESOME! Finally some truth and clarity among the runner’s high and heavy breathing I was experiencing.

  • Shannon April 16, 2011, 11:08 am

    I love those signs! Seeing funny or motivational signs is the perfect way to keep me inspired while running

  • Lee April 16, 2011, 11:11 am

    I like the don’t poop in your pants sign. I have the sense of humor of an 8 year old boy. Anything about pooping is funny.

  • Jessica April 16, 2011, 11:12 am

    reading these signs totally brightened my day! This morning I’m getting ready to run in the Grizzly Adventure race(a ski, bike, run event) and got a jolt of motivation from those signs! Thanks and wish me luck 😉

  • Holly @ The Runny Egg April 16, 2011, 11:17 am

    I love the Chuck Norris one! The best one I’ve seen is “toenails are overrated”

  • Danielle April 16, 2011, 11:19 am

    At the Disney princess half this year, someone had a sign that said, “Run Faster than Oprah did.” I LOLed. Also any that say “Wine and Beer Ahead!” always motivate me. 🙂

  • Christine @ Burning It Off April 16, 2011, 11:23 am

    LOL @ “Don’t poop your pants!” Not exactly the most motivational saying, but still pretty funny… 😛 The spectators are definitely the best part of running a race. I wish I could have them around during every run.

  • Michelle April 16, 2011, 11:31 am

    At my half last month there was a group of girls following their friend around the course with a sign that said “SHELBY! X miles till brunch” and they would stick a paper with how many miles were left on the sign. It was great! I also thought the lululemon cheer team had some great signs. There was one that said something like “run now, worry about chaffing later!”

    Also that sign above “I’m a stranger but I’m proud of you” made me tear up a little! So great!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) April 16, 2011, 11:38 am

    Those signs are awesome! I like the Chuck Norris one 🙂

  • Erica H. April 16, 2011, 11:46 am

    I like the Chuck Norris one!

    I ran the Cherry Blossom 10 miler a few weeks ago, and as I rounded a corner there was a guy holding a sign that said “If you think this is hard, try dating me.” I laughed outloud and smiled for another quarter mile!

    Another good one: two people dressed up as a ketchup and mustard bottle. They held signs that said “Ketch-up!” and “Pass The Mustard!” (the mustard guy would even run slow-mo along the race course. hilarious)

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin April 16, 2011, 12:09 pm

    Hahaha I love the “Don’t poop your pants” one! I think I if I saw that I would have to stop running because I’d be laughing too hard! 😛

  • Alexia @ Dimple Snatcher April 16, 2011, 12:10 pm

    Ha, love the signs!

  • Orla April 16, 2011, 12:10 pm

    My Favourite sign every was at the London Marathon last year and it read ” Run Like you Stole Something” – i spotted it at 2 miles, and at every 4-5 mile interval after that – the people with the sign were hopping on the tube every now and then and it was so funny. It even had its own facebook page and the amount of people who commented that it kept them going by wondering where they woud see it next!

  • Susan @ Mom Swim Bike Run April 16, 2011, 12:13 pm

    My favorite race signs:

    Because 26.3 would just be crazy

    That isn’t sweat, that is your fat cells crying

    • Meg April 16, 2011, 2:37 pm

      love the 26.3 idea!

  • Marina April 16, 2011, 12:16 pm

    Oh gosh, I love all those signs you posted! Specially the chuck norris one 😀
    I never done a race, but I plan on doing one or two this summer. So excited for it!

  • Orla April 16, 2011, 12:16 pm

    The best sign I ever saw said “you look like you’ve got great stamina. My number is: xxx-xxx-xxx. CALL ME!”

  • Amber K April 16, 2011, 12:23 pm

    lol, I totally want to come up with some cool sign now and crash some random race just so I can bring a smile to a tired runner’s face.

  • Angela (Oh She Glows) April 16, 2011, 12:35 pm

    Chuck Norris never ran a marathon…LMAO!!

  • Abby April 16, 2011, 12:35 pm

    I love all of these signs! How awesome! I hope I get to see some good ones in a couple of weeks at the half I am running! 🙂

  • Kim @ girlevolving April 16, 2011, 12:41 pm

    During my last half marathon these 2 signs had me laughing:

    “your ass looks fantastic!”
    and
    “Chuck Norris never ran a half marathon!”

  • Jasmine @ Eat Move Write April 16, 2011, 12:42 pm

    “Chuck Norris NEVER ran a marathon!”

    LOVE it.

  • Jasmine @ Eat Move Write April 16, 2011, 12:43 pm

    I LOVE “Chuck Norris never ran a marathon!”

    :)Too cute.

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) April 16, 2011, 12:52 pm

    My goal for my marathon last year was to beat Oprah’s time, so my sister made me a sign that said ‘Kick Oprah’s ass! >4:30!’ She said it was a hit- a lot of people that saw her on the course said they wanted to beat her time too 🙂

  • Stephanie April 16, 2011, 1:17 pm

    I laughed out loud at “Kick some asphalt” and “Chuck Norris never ran a marathon”. Bravo to everyone who’s hard-core enough to run one!

  • Irene April 16, 2011, 1:18 pm

    ‘Don’t stop! … That’s what she said!’

    ‘Pain is temporary… internet results are forever.’

  • Chris H. April 16, 2011, 1:27 pm

    One my brother held up at a cross country race back in High school:
    “If you want a ride home, run faster I am leaving soon”

    Also
    “If you can read this, you are not running fast enough.”

  • alison April 16, 2011, 1:27 pm

    At the National Half, I saw a sign that said “Guys love girls with stamina.” Another one said ‘free puppies at the finish line’ which made me smile.

  • Christina April 16, 2011, 1:31 pm

    I’m a new reader – hi! Love your blog! I’m training for my first half marathon right now, and I just wanted to tell you that these are totally inspiring. Also, I can’t wait to try Greek yogurt on blueberry pancakes – it looks incredible!

  • Brie @ Brie Fit April 16, 2011, 1:34 pm

    I saw a sign at my last half that said, “That’s not sweat, that’s just your fat cells crying.” Made me chuckle.

  • Jacalyn April 16, 2011, 1:34 pm

    I saw one while running that really made me giggle. One guy had a sign that read, “Keep going. You’re almost there!” A girl standing next to him had one that read, “That’s what she said.”

  • Mary April 16, 2011, 1:40 pm

    My boys love the Chuck Norris jokes! That sign made me laugh.

  • Rebecca April 16, 2011, 1:46 pm

    The funniest one I’ve seen said: I stayed up all night making this sign.

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey April 16, 2011, 1:57 pm

    Those are great signs!

  • Nikki April 16, 2011, 2:11 pm

    My favorite is “You’re not just a runner anymore, you’re a half-marathoner!” super inspiring!

  • Meg April 16, 2011, 2:32 pm

    Hubby made one that said: “Getting up early to make this sign was hard work too!”

  • Khushboo April 16, 2011, 3:00 pm

    Hahah these signs are hilarious! That topping looks yum! Next time try stirring in peanut butter and fruit preserves in the Greek yogurt- my current fave pancake topper!

  • Jo April 16, 2011, 3:02 pm

    Chicago Marathon
    This was on Michigan Ave not far from the finish.
    “Look Alive . . . Mortuary Ahead”

  • monicanelsonfitness April 16, 2011, 3:09 pm

    I LOVED these Signs! So great. I want to go run a race now. hehe. 🙂

  • Mary @ Bites and Bliss April 16, 2011, 3:20 pm

    I love these all- especially the Chuck Norris one!!! If I saw that one, I’d feel totally bad ass 😀

  • Maria (RealFitMama) April 16, 2011, 3:58 pm

    I ran the Go! St Louis Half Marathon last weekend with my husband and some friends (first timer!) and the best sign I saw read, “GOT TOE NAILS?” 😆

  • delia April 16, 2011, 3:59 pm

    I’ve seen a lot of good running signs, but the one that has stuck with me is the one that read “You’re a better running partner than Palin.” LOL. I think maybe this was in a half marathon in Wisconsin.

  • Ashley @ Feeding Ashley April 16, 2011, 4:01 pm

    I had way too much fun reading through all of these comments. Never raced so I haven’t seen any cool signs in person but all the signs you posted look great!

  • Heather C April 16, 2011, 4:09 pm

    Crazy-awesome signs are definitely the best distraction!! Favorite one I’ve heard of was at MCM last year (on halloween)- “I love your costume, are you dressed as ‘AWESOME’?!” Heh.

    • Caitlin April 16, 2011, 5:54 pm

      This sounds like I sign I would love!

  • Katy (The Singing Runner) April 16, 2011, 4:12 pm

    I love spectating races!!! I cheered on my friend during her first marathon back in February and I made a few signs:

    http://www.thesingingrunner.com/2011/02/13/keep-cheering-on/

    My favorite was “In 237 days, I will run my 1st marathon in Chicago (10-9-11)! You are my inspiration!” 😀

  • Kiran @ KiranTarun.com April 16, 2011, 4:15 pm

    Had a great laugh reading the poop sign 🙂 I especially loved the stranger sign!

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife April 16, 2011, 4:16 pm

    haha those are awesome! One of my favs while I was running a marathon, my friend had posted was “run for_____” (insert boyfriend at the time’s name). Very motivating 🙂

  • Jamie@everydaydolce April 16, 2011, 4:43 pm

    I have actually never made a sign for a race because I have never spectated before (!!!) I really want to soon! Those signs are all fantastic 🙂

  • Sarah @ The Strength of Faith April 16, 2011, 4:43 pm

    If it’s a race where the bibs have the runners names on them, it’s always inspiring to hear people cheer for you by name!

    • Orla April 16, 2011, 5:48 pm

      That is the best feeling and makes you want to keep going! I would highly recommend wearing your name on your shirt!

  • Christine April 16, 2011, 4:49 pm

    I love that you are drinking wine while being productive AND I love the Chuck Norris sign.

  • Claire April 16, 2011, 4:57 pm

    When I was struggling majorly at mile 23 of the NYC marathon, I saw someone holding a sign reading “I think you are winning.” It made me laugh, and the humor gave me a bit of momentum.

    • Caitlin April 16, 2011, 5:55 pm

      hahahah i love that one!

  • Erica April 16, 2011, 5:09 pm

    I love reading these…they’re great! One of my favorite things to do to take my mind off my uncomfortable-ness is to look for (and try to remember) cute race signs. Some of faves from my second marathon in St. Louis on Sunday was:

    Charlie Sheen called…he’s says you’re WINNING!
    Because 26.3 would just be crazy!
    Run faster or Pujols will sign with the Cubs! (Die-hard Cardinals fans will understand;-))
    Keep going, there’s BEER at the finish line!
    George Clooney is waiting for you at Mile 17! (held by a girl)
    Halle Berry is waiting for you at Mile 17! (held by a guy)
    -THEN at Mile 17, George Clooney moved to mile 24!

    I love it, and I appreciate the work that goes into making all the signs. BUT–my favorite this year is the one my daughter made for me that said “Think Pink! Go MOM!!” It was awesome:-D

  • Amy@LittleChefBakes April 16, 2011, 5:13 pm

    I ran my first marathon last weekend and my family made signs inspired by the movie Run Fatboy Run ie Erectile Dysfunction Signs with the limp running banana. It was fantastic because they drew the banana and simply wrote “Run for ED Amy”. The comments they got were fantastic 🙂

  • Lauren @ LaDolcePita April 16, 2011, 5:31 pm

    LOL I thought you were drinking a glass of wine for breakfast – I was like wow she must really be stressed?

  • Caitlin April 16, 2011, 5:33 pm

    “I love to run, It makes me smile. I think I’ll run another mile.”

    I saw that at a half marathon I did about a month ago and my grandma made me the same sign to hold for my first marathon on Monday! 🙂

  • Melissa April 16, 2011, 5:42 pm

    I ran my first 5k this morning (I am TIRED!), and am delighted to check onto your blogspace and see all these signs. Thank you. I needed that. :)))))

    • Caitlin April 16, 2011, 5:56 pm

      Congrats on your first 5k!!!!!!

      • Melissa April 16, 2011, 7:28 pm

        Thank you! (I’m kind of surprised that you actually really do read all of your comments and reply!) I think I will have to make a sign for my next one, and when I get done running I’ll hold it up for the other runners. I think my second favorite part of the morning was cheering on other runners and seeing faces light up and their paces quicken! Great stuff!!

        • Caitlin April 17, 2011, 9:31 am

          Of course I read comments 🙂 They are my favorite part of blogging!

          What a good idea to go back and cheer!

  • Allison April 16, 2011, 6:48 pm

    For an Ironman Race:
    “Smile If You Peed on the Bike!”

  • Rebecca April 16, 2011, 7:29 pm

    At the 2011 Nike Women’s Marathon (24,000 women running – 2 men!)

    Race sign at mile 11 read: “Jack and Jill ran up a hill. JILL WON!!”

  • Heather April 16, 2011, 8:28 pm

    I was always a fan of “run like you stole something!”

  • Lara April 16, 2011, 8:43 pm

    At the National Marathon last month: “If it were easy, I would do it!” 🙂

    • molly l April 18, 2011, 1:47 pm

      i saw that one this weekend at a race- and the woman holding it kept moving to different places along the route and i laughed everytime i saw her.

  • Ben @ ShirtlessBen April 16, 2011, 9:33 pm

    WOOHOOO!! I made it in the post lol. All of the people who saw my sign were blushing while passing me. I don’t know if it were because i wasn’t wearing a shirt or because of the sign?!?!

  • Sonia April 16, 2011, 9:35 pm

    BAHAHAHAHAAH!!! I love the “Chuck Norris never ran a marathon” sign! I’ve actually never ran a race nor watched from the sidelines but it’s amazing the effort put on from everyone on race day 🙂 When I actually do a race, I definetly would need some signs to keep my butt in line!

  • Rosi April 16, 2011, 11:47 pm

    I love all these signs. Was definitely cracking up reading them and all the ones in the comments. 😀

  • Katherine: Unemployed April 17, 2011, 6:41 am

    My favorite when I was running a half marathon:

    “You’ve done worse things for longer periods of time!”

    Three-hour-long physics finals; two-hour-long sorority chapters with disagreements about wearing white after labor day and who gets to park in what spot and what the most important greek week events are; one-and-a-half-hour-long calculus three lectures sitting next to a hungover engineer male who has not showered and is drinking red bull while playing on nintendo… running is less painful and it really made me push for a PR! Beat that 1.5 hour lecture time (ya right)

  • Julie (A Case of the Runs) April 17, 2011, 8:17 am

    My two favorites:

    1) At last month’s marathon: “12.9 miles to go #winning.” (This was actually posted by a Hollywood theater on their sign)

    2) I ran a marathon back in November that ended with 2 (small but felt enormous by then) hills. A guy held a sign that said: “It’s just a hill — get over it.” Totally what I needed to continue running/jogging up them!

  • Kamaile April 17, 2011, 1:51 pm

    Couple i’ve seen:
    Go random stranger!
    Free iPad at the finish line (?)

  • Sara April 17, 2011, 3:59 pm

    I have a friend who did the Vancouver Marathon and saw a sign that said “You all look like Kenyans to me! Keep running!” 🙂

  • Kristen April 17, 2011, 6:24 pm

    the last half I ran there was a pregnant women holding a sign that said “hurry. Go fast. IM IN LABOR!” haha

  • Hats @ See How She Runs April 18, 2011, 6:36 am

    LOVE the Chuck Norris one!

  • Alison @ Around the VeggieTable April 18, 2011, 10:52 am

    Thank you SO much for posting these! This is just what I needed this morning. And I actually feel motivated to do my training run today just from seeing these photos and reading all the comments 🙂

  • molly l April 18, 2011, 1:56 pm

    seen at the la jolla 1/2 this weekend by the lululemon cheering team “chafe now, brag later”

    not a sign, but i saw this on the back of a shirt a girl was wearing during yesterday’s 1/2. “you can relax, the kenyan already won”- this was made even MORE funny b/c i saw it at mile 1.2 of a half marathon and it would have been crazy had someone already been at the finish point that soon!

    i’m running my first full in 2 weeks and i REALLY hope to see some of these signs along the course!

    • Caitlin April 18, 2011, 1:58 pm

      I like the Kenyan one at Mile 1.2!

  • Jo @ Jo In the Kitchen April 18, 2011, 5:06 pm

    Those are so awesome! I’m possibly running a half marathon in July, but if I don’t end up running, I’m definitely making some signs 🙂

  • Julia April 18, 2011, 6:35 pm

    I saw a guy with a ginormous poster that said
    It’s not me, it’s you. Its you. It’s over.
    It made me confused for the rest of the race! I hope it was a joke!

  • Kathy @ newlywedindc April 18, 2011, 8:45 pm

    Last year at the Baltimore Marathon I saw a guy with a baby in a stroller and their sign said, “It’s okay if you pee your pants: I just did!”

  • Sara @ OurDogBuffy April 20, 2011, 11:43 am

    I love the Chuck Norris ref. in one of the signs.

  • Dee April 22, 2011, 8:35 am

    Dude. LMAO. That Chuck Norris sign is EPIC. I’m rollin’. 😉

  • Ashley @ Thefitacademic July 14, 2011, 10:51 am

    My favorite sign from the last race I was in said “Pain is weakness leaving the body” – loved it!

  • Sarah April 29, 2012, 11:11 am

    I’m a year late to the sign party, but I was just a spectator for the St. Louis marathon and brought a sign that said, “Smile if you’re not wearing underwear.” I got a lot of laughs and several people winked or high fived me. A few people would run by and yell, “I’m not!!” or point at their rear end and point at me. It was really fun. I’m training for my first 1/2 marathon and can’t wait to see what kind of signs are out there!

  • Elizabeth May 30, 2012, 8:45 pm

    I know you are running super fast so this banner will look like a blur, but WAHOO

  • Adrienne October 7, 2012, 11:16 pm

    I made one for the Long Beach Marathon today that said, “There will be a day when you can no longer do this. Today is not that day.” I got tons of feedback from runners. A few cried, tons took a picture of the sign and smiled and yelled, “Today is NOT that day.” Many thanked me for supporting them. It was great.

  • Dave February 25, 2013, 7:56 pm

    During one race I noticed two people holding a sign that said “Worst parade Ever” that made me laugh.

  • Anne March 25, 2014, 6:56 pm

    “You trained for this longer than Kim Kardashian was married!”
    (at the Princess 2012, right after she was separated)

    “Surprise! Justin Timberlake is at the finish!”
    (My friend had this one at mile 21 while we were cheering on our friend’s first marathon.)

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