Last week, we talked about race bandits; this week, let’s focus on families at the finish line and finish line etiquette. The finish line is an incredible place of triumph and celebration. It doesn’t matter if you are the first to cross the tape, or if you are the last runner on the course, the finish line is special, if not sacred.
The Scenario
A woman, Luciana Grande Lurancao, bears down on the finish line at the Maia Maratona de PP. She is very much in the lead, focus all over her face. A man waits on the side of the course, with two small children, who we can presume to be her husband and kids. As this absolute queen of an athlete bears down on the finish line, her husband (gently) pushes the children out to their mother. This runner, at full speed, SWERVES so she can avoid her kids and win the race, celebrating after she crosses the finish line.
So Let’s Talk About It
Personally, I am horrified by this. For one, it is so incredibly dangerous to put young children on a course like that. Secondly, how disappointing that this man couldn’t let his partner have her moment. She’s obviously working hard towards a very specific goal. As runners, we know very well that the journey to this goal involved hours upon hours of training with early mornings, late nights, and a lot of pain and dedication. We can assume this was in addition to being a wife and mother and whatever roles she fulfills in her daily life.
So why would her partner, her ride or die, seek to distract her at such a momentous moment? Was he truly unaware of the danger to his children and runners on the course? Or were his intentions designed to diminish her accomplishment? I truly hope it was the former.
Do Kids Belong At The Finish Line
The answer is yes and no. Kids and families absolutely belong on the sidelines, beyond the actual finish of the race, safe and out of the way. Unless their runner indicates otherwise, they should be at the ready with video rolling, hydration and snacks in hand, prepared to high-five and embrace the runner.
Kids should NOT be on the course. It’s a hazard to the children and to the other athletes, especially the ones at the front of the pack who are sprinting at serious speeds. A child, especially an unexpected one, could be trampled. If a racer encounters a kid on the course, they might try to avoid them, as the runner in the above video did, and it could cause a collision or accident on the course.
What Should Have Happened In This Scenario?
In this specific case, the non-runner should have supported his running partner from the other side of the tape. He could have helped his kids make signs and allowed them to bring flowers or some other small token to give their mom after her strong finish. Rather than distracting her and upsetting the kids (who undoubtedly didn’t understand why their mom ran around them), he could have waited to celebrate her and taken incredible pictures of her and her kids with her medal and a huge smile of victory on her face.
Luciana Grande Lurancao deserved her moment. Sure, she’s a mom, but on this day, at this time, she was a victor. I hope she has another chance to enjoy a similar achievement, with full support from her loved ones.
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I suspect he just wasn’t thinking and had no ill intentions.
I hope so. Because my heart just sank when I saw the video.
Yes, I heard about this! My first thought about the husband was- what an idiot. Can’t women just be athletes? Does motherhood ALWAYS have to come first??? It’s also dangerous and stupid to push kids out into a race course. But- maybe Debbie’s right. He just wasn’t thinking.
I hope that’s the case. I really do. But he seemed so stunned when others in the crowd were taking him to task. Let her have her moment!
I’ve seen runner carry their fids in their arms as they cross. I’ve seen runners have their kids run them in.
Both are ok as long as the kids are safe. It can be risky.
I would prefer to have the kids greet the runner AFTER they cross the finish line.
Huh interesting! I had not seen this before. I am hoping that he really had the best of intentions here and just wanted to celebrate his wife
Someone else had posted it on social media and I had to see it a few times before realizing what was happening. All I saw was her running and winning. I also think her husband had the best intentions.
I really do hope so.