Is Spitting During a Race Allowed?
© STADION-ACTUIt may not be the most glamorous subject, but plenty of runners spit as they go. Why do we spit when we run, and more importantly, is it allowed?
Let the runner who has never felt the vital need to get a mouthful of mucus out while running raise their hand. On paper, it may sound disgusting. Yet anyone who runs regularly is more or less used to it. When runners spit, they are not deliberately being inconsiderate or expressing their displeasure. No, it is simply a physiological response that often shows up in the heat of the moment.
Where does the mucus come from?
First, it is worth knowing that mucus is made up of water, mineral salts, proteins and immune cells. It protects the airways and traps anything unwanted. Naturally, when it builds up, it becomes uncomfortable and the urge to get rid of it grows. During physical activity, the lining of the bronchi produces more bronchial mucus. The stuff runners end up with in their mouths is a sticky mass of secretions from the bronchi or trachea. Doctors strongly advise against swallowing it, to avoid introducing pathogens into the digestive system, the kind that could cause intestinal problems. Instinctively, runners clear it, with varying degrees of elegance, in an effort to breathe more easily. Sometimes they do not even notice, especially when their eyes are fixed on the clock.
A ban dating back to... 1942
Yet although this behavior is widely accepted among runners, it is still strictly prohibited. The law is an old one, dating back to March 22, 1942, under the Vichy government, when tuberculosis was widespread. A second decree amended it in 1992, stating that it is “forbidden for anyone to spit anywhere other than in spittoons provided for that purpose”. The offense carries a fine of €68 to €135. That can make for an expensive run.
Go back a few years to the pandemic, and joggers’ spit was also under scrutiny. Remember, spit and other droplets were considered potential vectors for coronavirus transmission. Some municipalities, including Le Raincy in Seine-Saint-Denis and Marcq-en-Barœul in the Nord department, passed local orders allowing people who spat in public spaces to be fined, particularly recreational runners.
No mention in race regulations
Spitting is prohibited during official races held in public spaces, but in practice, it is rare to see the police stop a runner for doing so. Race regulations generally require participants to pick up their litter, but say nothing about spitting. In the end, it is a matter of common sense. If you avoid launching a mouthful of mucus into another runner’s face, you should be fine.
Even though spitting while running is a natural, almost instinctive reaction for many runners, it is still covered by a largely forgotten law that remains in force. In practice, the ban is rarely enforced to the letter, especially during a race. Still, common sense and respect for other participants should come first. So if you need to clear your throat during a run, do it discreetly... and above all, do not aim at the runner behind you.