Why are fast runners so miserable?

I did a 10km race on Sunday and not being a particularly fast runner was lapped by the leader who was about to win as I was finishing my first lap.  Even though I knew I still had 2 miles to go and could have felt very fed up, as he flew past I gave him a little clap and said "well done" whilst i kept plodding on.  I got no response whatsoever, not even a little nod. 

I repeated the same for the 2nd and 3rd place people and it was only when 4th place passed me he said "thanks".  Now I appreciate that these are what I would class as serious runners but it really seems to me that the faster you are, the more miserable (or serious) you become.  I go out to run (or plod) in all weathers and really enjoy it.  I know I will never be one of the fast ones but frankly if you lose all sense of decency or respect for others, then I don't want to.

Sorry just felt like getting that off my chest.  Grrrrrrrr!

If you had 2 miles to go they were much closer to the finish.  I'd imagine they were eyeballs popping out and absolutely knackered.  You know, as if they were close to the finish of the race.

Actually it's pretty unfair for you to complain and expect a reply given the timing of your encouragement.  I'm sure they appreciated it - did you expect them to stop and shake your hand?

Approach them after the race and if you get the same reaction then you might have a point.  Quite frankly your complaint as it stands is ridiculous.

I marshalled at a couple of races this year won by the same guy, who when I pointed out the way to the finish, smiled and said thanks both times.  Which was nice.

I know what you mean tho' Yaffles, some speedies are faaaaaaaaaar too dour and serious.

I aint no whippet and in my only race I couldnt muster a smile until I stopped tbh. It is effort related I guess.

miserable gets that are on an easy training run who dont smile get my goat. Last one for me  was our MP Timpson -miserable sod.

Are you a fast runner by any chance Moraghan???

They were probably too focussed on what they were doing etc to acknowledge you Yaffles, dont take it personally.  I'm one of the happy little plodders at the back and will happily have a wee chat with another little plodder whilst running along, but then I'm not there to set the world alight with my speed or anything... 

Don't think it's anything to do with fast/slow, just basic manners/personality.

I've seen rude slow runners too and I've seen polite, encouraging and great fast runners.  I did a race a while ago and the winner waited at the finish until pretty much everyone had come in, congratulating each runner as he/she passed the line.

OK, it was a local race, but even so.

I'm nowhere near a fast runner, but if I was pushing myself  as B says, for whatever reason, I wouldn't want to stop (nor would I) for someone congratulating me, those few seconds can be make or break.

Daz - that's simply unforgivable!

i was pretty miserable in my last race (half m) I was feeling awful and really annoyed as it became obvious i wasn't gonna smash my PB (slow about 2.15) there were loads of kids along the route holding out those big foam hand for people to slap as they passed and it became harder and harder to summon the energy to do so. Am sure some of them thought I was a miserable bleeder too...

Sometime there seems to be a perception on here that fast runners find it easy and are efffortlessly gliding to the finish when they probably push a heck of a lot harder than I do....hmm maybe the forth guy could have won if he'd tried harder and not said thanks!