Putting on your race bib correctly is an essential step to having a great race. It’s important that race officials see your race number so they know that you’re an official participant. If you don’t have your bib securely fastened on the right way, it could get annoying and uncomfortable during the race.
You also want to make sure that the professional photographers on the course can clearly see your bib because they use your unique race number to match you and your race photos.
For all these reasons, it’s critical that you put your race bib on the FRONT of your shirt, not the back. I sometimes see runners in races with the bib pinned to their back and I want to scream, “You’re not going to see any of your race photos!”
Six Simple Steps to Put on Your Race Bib Properly
Some runners choose to pin their race bibs on their shorts or pants but, having done that for a couple of races, I find it much more comfortable to pin it onto my shirt. The bib tends to get in the way when it’s on your shorts.
Follow these six simple steps for how to put on a race bib to make sure you do it properly.
1. Make sure you have everything you need.
You’ll need four safety pins (make sure they’re good ones – not those flimsy cheap ones!) to securely fasten your bib. Using just two pins means that your bib may flap around and make noise during the race, which could get really annoying.
Some runners use a set of four bib magnets to secure their race number to their shirt, which helps them to avoid poking holes in their favorite running shirts.
Whether you use safety pins or bib magnets, you’ll find it easier to position the bib as you’re wearing it. Some people like to put the bib on their shirt before they put it on, but I think it’s harder to position it in the right spot when you do it that way. In my opinion, it’s also difficult to put on a shirt that has a bib already on it. I always feel like I’m going to rip something or the bib is going to pop off.
Before you pin the bib on, look on the back and fill out your emergency contact information, if there’s a space for it.
2. Position the bib and pin the one top corner.
The first step is to hold the bib against you in the spot where you’d like to pin it. The best position is across your abdomen, not your chest. And you don’t want it place it too low because it will move a lot if it’s too close to your legs. Once you have it in the spot where you’d like it, make sure that it’s straight across. Then use one of the safety pins to secure it to the shirt (being careful not to stab yourself!)
3. Pin the other top corner.
Next, take the other top corner and position it straight across from the other top corner. Pull the bib taut so that it’s flat on your shirt. Once it’s flat and not crooked, pin the other top corner. Check to make sure it looks straight (either look in the mirror or ask a friend to check, since it’s hard to tell when you’re looking down at it).
4. Pin the bottom corners.
Once you’ve done the top two pins, it’s time to secure the bottom two. Smooth the bib down and pin one of the lower corners to your shirt. Make sure there are no wrinkles and it looks straight. Then use the last safety pin to secure the bib to your shirt.
5. Remove any unnecessary tickets from the bottom of the bib.
Some race bibs have a strip of perforated paper at the bottom, which may include a bag check ticket, a raffle ticket, or a ticket for a race perk such as a shirt or free drink. You can remove the ones that you need before the race (like the bag check ticket), leave the ones you need for later, and discard any unnecessary ones.
There may also be a ticket that says “raffle“ or “food”. If there’s a B-Tag timing device on the back of the bib, do NOT remove that – that tracks when you crossed the starting line and finish line so race officials can determine your net time.
6. Do one last check of your race bib.
Make sure your bib is not crooked, wrinkled, or uncomfortable, and then you’re ready to race!
Can I run a race without a race number?
While some runners, known as race bandits, do participate in races without officially entering, it’s highly discouraged. Race organizers plan the race amenities, insurance, medical assistance, and security for a certain number of runners, so they want only registered runners to compete. If they see an unregistered runner participating, race officials may pull them off the course.
Should you keep your race number visible during a race?
Yes, as much as possible, you should keep your race number visible during a race, so that the race officials know you’re a registered participant. In addition, if the race has official photographers, they’ll be able to match your race number and name so you can get your race photos.
Of course, for some races, you may want to start out wearing a long sleeve shirt or jacket until you warm up. If you plan to take off a layer during the race, wear the race number on the inside layer or whatever shirt you think will be visible for the second half of the race. It’s most important for your race number to be showing as you’re approaching and crossing the finish line.
What should I do with race bibs after a race?
Some runners save their race numbers as mementos by hanging them on a wall or placing them in a race bib holder. To remember the race, you may want to write your time and finishing place on the back of the bib. If you don’t want to display your race bibs, you could always just stash them in a drawer with race medals, or even recycle them.
More Racing Tips:
Tips for Managing Pre-Race Anxiety
Common Racing Mistakes to Avoid
What to Wear When Running a Race
About the author: Christine Luff is a certified RRCA running coach, and certified as a personal trainer, fitness nutrition specialist, and a weight management specialist by the American Council on Exercise. Her book, Run for Good: How to Create a Lifelong Running Habit, is available on Amazon.
