135 Hilarious Marathon Sign Ideas for a Memorable Run
One of my favorite things about running marathons is seeing the funny signs and posters spectators hold along the course. If you’re supporting a runner in an upcoming race, I’ve got a slew of the best marathon sign ideas to help you stand out in the crowd.
Many of these signs will work for nearly any running race, though many are marathon-specific to motivate your favorite runner.
Running is difficult. Running a marathon is very difficult. Funny race signs help to make the tough times a little easier. After all, studies show that laughter relieves stress.
These race signs will help your runner laugh when the running gets tough.
Best Funny Race Signs
Crude Humor Signs
🪧 Marathoners are great… in bed!
🪧 Love your stamina. Call me!
🪧 Smile if you pooped a little. / Smile if you peed a little.
🪧 I don’t do half marathons. I do a half-marathon runner.
🪧 Smile if you’re not wearing underwear.
🪧 Just finish. (That’s what she said)
🪧 Almost there. (That’s what she said)
🪧 Finishers get leid. 🌸
🪧 Go harder. Go faster. Don’t stop. (That’s what she said)
🪧 Never trust a far after mile 15.
🪧 Smile if you just farted.
🪧 Run fast. I farted.
🪧 This is the only time you should finish faster.
🪧 Wow! You’re finishing faster than your ex.
Spectator Humor Signs
🪧 “Your Name Here”
🪧 Believe – Referencing the sign from Apple TV’s Ted Lasso
🪧 You think you’re tired? I’ve been holding this sign since 7:00 am.
🪧 Worst Parade Ever.
🪧 Just keep running, running, running. – Referencing Dory from Finding Nemo
🪧 Slow down. I’m trying to count everyone.
🪧 You think this is bad? Try growing out bangs.
🪧 Where is everyone going?
🪧 The force is with you. – Referencing Star Wars
🪧 What are you running from?
🪧 And I thought Nascar was boring.
🪧 You run marathons. I watch them on Netflix.
🪧 Free Shrugs
🪧 Want us to call you an Uber?
🪧 I’m just trying to cross the street.
🪧 Go, random stranger!
🪧 I trained for months to hold this sign.
🪧 Is that a gel in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?
🪧 Why?
🪧 Running is a mental sport, and you are all insane.
🪧 This is a very motivating, supportive sign.
🪧 Came to support my friends. Stayed for the shirtless men.
🪧 Is this the line for free bananas?
🪧 Take your time… We have enough beer to last us another 4 hours.
🪧 Why do all the cute ones run away?
🪧 Your pace or mine?
🪧 On a scale of 1-10, you’re a 26.2!
🪧 You’re faster than Jimmy Johns.
🪧 We’ve been trying to reach you about your car’s extended warranty.
🪧 This looks like a lot of work for a free banana.
🪧 You know the 1st person to do this died, right?
🪧 Most people don’t DRIVE 26.2 miles on a Sunday.
🪧 Run faster. My arms are tired.
🪧 You know you don’t have to do this, right?
🪧 Just call a cab. It’s faster!
🪧 I see crazy people.
🪧 The faster you run, the sooner we’ll be drunk.
🪧 Hit this for a power-up. 💥
🪧 No candy? This parade stinks.
🪧 Funny running into you here.
🪧 1km to go! Disclaimer: I’m bad at math.
🪧 Only 25.4 miles to go!
Funny Running Wisdom Signs
🪧 The Rats Don’t Run This City… You Do. – As seen at the 2022 NYC Marathon
🪧 You’re not slow; you’re getting your money’s worth.
🪧 I’m sure it seemed like a good idea 4 months ago.
🪧 Don’t worry… Tomorrow, you won’t feel your feet at all.
🪧 Run like you’re chasing the ice cream truck.
🪧 You’re running better than the government.
🪧 You’re only doing this so you can post a picture on Facebook.
🪧 You can run slower tomorrow when no one is watching.
🪧 1 marathon = 450 Fries.
🪧 Chafing the dream.
🪧 Smile. It’ll hurt less.
🪧 At least you don’t have to swim or bike.
🪧 Marathon. A 10k with a 20-mile warmup.
🪧 1 out of 100 marathon runners will poop their pants. Are you that 1?
🪧 May the course be with you.
🪧 It could be worse. You could be doing burpees.
🪧 You’ve done smarter things drunk.
🪧 Just think about how funny you’re gonna walk tomorrow.
🪧 All toenails go to heaven.
🪧 Toenails are overrated.
🪧 Runner’s high: legal in all 50 states.
🪧 Life is short. Running makes it seem longer.
🪧 Smile. Remember, you paid to be here.
🪧 Beer and bragging rights just ahead.
🪧 Live. Laugh. Lube.
🪧 Run like someone just called you a “jogger.”
🪧 You ran this far… may as well finish.
🪧 Find a cute butt and follow it.
🪧 You could have chosen chess.
🪧 I don’t know about you. I’m feeling 26.2.
🪧 It’s never too late to go back to bed.
🪧 Run like there are Taylor Swift concert tickets at the finish line.
🪧 Turn around. It’s a trap!
🪧 99 Problems, but chafing ain’t 1.
🪧 You are not almost there.
🪧 Imagine how sick that 26.2 sticker is gonna look on your car.
🪧 Your dog is proud of you!
🪧 Stopping? Ain’t nobody got time for that.
🪧 $129 for a half marathon. You still have $79.76 to go!
🪧 Due to inflation, you’ll run 27 miles.
🪧 “Last” is a place too.
🪧 Chuck Norris never ran a marathon.
🪧 Because you’re loving every wonderful, horrible minute of this.
🪧 Humpty Dumpty had wall issues too.
🪧 You are not sweating… you are glowing!
🪧 At least you’re not at work.
🪧 Pain is just a French word for “bread.”
🪧 I will never run another… Oh, look! A race!
🪧 Donut give up!
🪧 If you’re still in a relationship, you didn’t train hard enough.
🪧 Your feet hurt because you’re kicking ass.
🪧 Your feet hurt from kicking so much asphalt!
🪧 Whine now. Wine later.
🪧 Smile! Race photos are forever.
🪧 WTF? (Where’s the finish)
🪧 Mortuary Ahead. Look Alive.
Greatest Motivational Race Signs
🪧 It’s about how far your mind can take you.
🪧 I don’t know you, but… I’m so proud of you!
🪧 The voice in your head that says, “You can’t do this,” is a LIAR.
🪧 Yes, you can!
🪧 You know you can surprise yourself!
🪧 This is the closest you’ve been yet!
🪧 You are stronger than you think.
🪧 Remember what has brought you this far.
🪧 It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.
🪧 The only way to run faster is to run faster.
🪧 You inspire me.
🪧 You can do hard things.
🪧 Don’t stop believing.
🪧 The last 100 impress me more than the first 100.
🪧 Be better every step.
🪧 One mile at a time.
🪧 Be your own hero.
🪧 Focus on how far you’ve run rather than how far you have to go.
🪧 Remember your “why.”
🪧 Warning: Awesome sense of accomplishment ahead.
🪧 It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop. – Confuscious
🪧 Marathoning: the triumph of desire over reason.
🪧 You did not wake up to be mediocre.
🪧 You made it to the start; you will make it to the finish.
🪧 Run like a champion today.
FAQ
To make a marathon sign, you’ll need a few supplies. A large poster board and chisel tip markers are excellent starting points. You may want to consider a foam board if you want your sign to be rigid for comfortable holding. If you’re more of a visual artist, you can opt for paint, glitter, or using magazines to cut and paste specific images.
Saying nice things to marathon runners as they pass by can be helpful when runners begin to “hit the wall,” and running becomes difficult.
Shout things such as:
📣 You’re doing great!
📣 Looking strong!
📣 You’ve got this!
📣 Way to go!
Generic cheers like these are great, and many runners will appreciate the acknowledgment (even if their faces don’t show it). At a recent race, I had a spectator shout, “This hill is awful, but you’re doing it!” It made me smile and push through that dang hill.
If possible, use the runner’s name.
Runners may have their names printed on their race bibs or shirts at some races. If you can make out a runner’s name, using it can greatly help keep a runner motivated.
Some runners are serious and may not be up for sarcastic things directed at them. Many runners compete as charity runners, and some run in memory or to honor a loved one.
A good rule of thumb is to keep things light and kind and keep your funny sayings to your signs. That way, runners may engage with your humor if it suits them.
👉🏼 One of the lame things spectators often say to marathon runners is, “You’re almost there” when runners are nowhere close to the finish line. We get the joke, but the humor is almost always lost when you’re the one running 26.2 miles.
Final Thoughts: Marathon Sign Ideas
Using one or more of these funny marathon signs will lead to plenty of chuckles during the race. As a spectator, enjoy the race day atmosphere, and from a runner, thank you for being out there for a long day of supporting runners!
