46 Funny Marathon Signs to Make Runners Laugh at the Next Race

What better way to ease the pain and break up the monotony that runners face during marathons than with humor?

Running a marathon (26.2 miles) can be painful and boring. It can cause soreness in your lower back and feet, tire out your spirit, and cause you to lose interest in what you are doing.

But as with most things, laughter is the best medicine when you are getting tired of running. When you are exhausted and sore, you need something to cheer you up.

This is where marathon signs come in handy. They can lift your spirit and boost your energy.

They may not all be relatable, but even if they don’t apply to you, they still remind you that there are people cheering for you and your fellow runners, which can be motivating in and of itself.

In this post, we have gathered 46 funny marathon signs to help make runners laugh. If your friend, partner, or family member is planning to run a marathon, you can take inspiration from these images to show your support.

Table of Contents

On your mark, get set, go!

1. You know you don’t have to do this, right?

funny marathon signs reddit | funny marathon signs 2017 | best marathon signs 2018

via krismmichaels

This is an original post from Kristen Michaels. She knows that you don’t have to run, but that you decided to do so anyway.

2. Run fast, he bites!

best marathon signs 2017 | funny marathon quotes | best marathon signs 2019

via tessamunro1

Oh, you wouldn’t want to end up being chased by this cute little dog! Actress and producer Tessa Munro made this funny marathon sign during the LA Marathon in 2013.

3. Run faster or I drop the sign!

funny marathon signs reddit | short running puns | marathon poster design

via trackclubla

Tell him this isn’t funny and he might actually drop that sign! This photo was posted by Track Club LA during the LA Marathon in 2019.

4. Run from your childhood.

running puns for instagram | how to support a marathon runner | best marathon signs 2017

via kateroni

People run from all sorts of things, including childhood issues (as this ironic sign indicates). Kate Hyatt took this photo during a New York City Marathon.

5. You run marathons, I watch them on Netflix.

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via maryfama

Mary Fama is the current art director for Cosmopolitan magazine, and she sure knows how to use her art skills to encourage marathoners to run (or go home and watch Netflix instead!).

6. Why?

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via rachgerlach

One very simple question for marathoners: WHY? This sign is already clever and hilarious, and the little boy with his curious expression makes it even better.

7. John (or any other name), you’re a cheating b*stard!

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via samantharoberts

You can use just about any name here, but John is one of the most common, which makes this sign even better. Every John (or Peter, Simon, etc.) running by will get that “Wait, what? Oh, sh*t!” feeling for a quick second.

8. I’ve been training for months to hold this sign!

5k posters | motivational marathon quotes | best marathon signs 2017

via thehealthyacademic

Just like the runners, cheerers need to train, too! This woman’s sign claims she’s been training for months just to cheer up the runners.

9. You thought it said “rum” didn’t you?

running puns for instagram | how to support a marathon runner | best marathon signs 2017

via onemoremi1e

Run? Not rum?! Looks like someone made a big mistake! These two cheerleaders are likely cheering for their son or daughter. Running is a whole lot more fun with Mom and Dad’s humor.

10. At least you’re not at work.

funny running quotes | running puns | 5k posters

via little_lew

She knows your priorities, and that you’d rather spend time hurting your legs and losing your breath than sitting at the office and thinking at work.

11. You run better than the government.

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via katiemurphy33

What better way to protest and cheer at the same time than with a witty marathon sign? These days, just about any runner would appreciate this one.

12. You’ll be dino-sore tomorrow.

short running puns | marathon poster design | running puns for instagram

via twinsruninourfamily

Puns never go out of style. This marathon sign, coupled with creative props and costume, surely caught the attention of the Philadelphia Marathon runners!

13. Alternative Fact: You’re almost there!

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via runnersworldaus

Here’s a funny and motivational commentary on recent political events. Never mind the pain, just believe the alternative fact that you are almost there.

14. The time is meow—victory is yours!

running puns for instagram | funny marathon quotes | best marathon signs 2019

via imgur

Don’t you just love pop culture references? Keep on running and winning because the Super Troopers pack has got your back!

15. Brie, Gina, Lisa, chafe now, wine later!

marathon puns for instagram | funny reasons why people run | pinterest marathon signs

via rpics

Who doesn’t want a nice glass of wine after a successful run? You go, girls! The drink will make it all worth it in the end.

16. Hotties and burgers at the finish line!

what to say to cheer on a runner | what is a full marathon | how many miles is the marathon

via rpics

If wine doesn’t motivate you, then hotties and burgers might! Keep on pushing, keep on running. What waits at the finish line will be worth it.

17. Run in like a…wrecking ball!

running puns | 5k posters | motivational marathon quotes

via rpics

Pop culture references always make for funny signs, and the added photo of Miley Cyrus getting freaky on her wrecking ball is enough to get anyone running.

18. May the course be with you!

wine marathon signs | running spectator shirts | funny running quotes

via rpics

Our all-time favorite Star Wars quote pops up just about everywhere—even on marathon signs. Just imagine Obi-Wan Kenobi wishing you good luck, and you may find yourself motivated all the way through the race.

19. If you really loved me, you’d run faster!

funny signs to make for marathon runners | what to say to cheer on a runner | when your legs get tired run with your heart quotes

via laina622

If you are an Internet whiz, you surely know Laina Morris, also known as the “Overly Attached Girlfriend.” What’s the best way to escape an overly attached girlfriend? Run as fast as you can!

20. No time for Walken!

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via jpizzi

The image says it all. This is a marathon, so there is no time for Walken—just runnen!

21. I ran once, it was awful!

funny signs for half marathon runners | funny spectator signs for marathon | things to tell runners

via olivervignola

Maybe not the most motivational sign ever, but definitely a funny one—especially if you are a fan of Grumpy Cat.

22. Run like Ryan Gosling is at the finish line.

running spectator shirts | how many miles is the marathon | when your legs get tired run with your heart quotes

Imagine Ryan Gosling waiting for you at the finish line with a hug and a kiss, and girl, you will never run out of motivation.

23. Hey girl, keep running! – Ryan Gosling

how many miles is the marathon | jogging puns | pinterest marathon signs

When you end up seeing Ryan Gosling again in the middle of the race, you might just start to believe that he actually IS waiting for you at the end!

24. Run, you sexy son of a…!

marathon poster design | best marathon signs 2017| what is a full marathon

via bestracesigns

A little bit of shock value can add humor to an otherwise long and arduous process.

25. You could’ve chosen chess.

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via wingedillusions

Or any other leisure activity, for that matter. But you chose running, so finish it!

26. Touch here for power!

short running puns | short motivational running quotes | marathon poster design

via potable

This sign isn’t super funny, but will definitely make you smile. If nothing else, it will boost any runner’s energy and morale.

27. Smile if you peed a little.

what to say to cheer on a runner | best marathon signs 2017 | short motivational running quotes

via aliapenny

Or even if you peed a lot! Keep on smiling, it makes the time go faster.

28. You’ve done dumber things when you were drunk.

jogging puns | pinterest marathon signs | running spectator shirts

via mahoney112

Remember that time you drunkenly texted an ex, or puked on your friend’s lawn? Signing up for a marathon might not seem like the smartest decision of your life when you are 20 miles in, but you’ve probably done a lot worse!

29. Free beer and sex at the finish. Hurry up!

funny running signs for races | funny signs for marathon runners | funny marathon signs reddit

via rabbischwartzy

Anything free is a great motivation—especially beer and sex!

30. The end is near.

london marathon signs | things runners say | marathon puns for instagram

via meltingbutterdotcom

We aren’t sure if this sign was intended to make the runners laugh or not, but the dark humor behind it brought us a chuckle.

31. Finishing is your only f*cking option!

funny marathon signs 2017 | jogging puns | things to tell runners

via ally white

No quitting, no stopping. Just finish it.

32. If Britney Spears can survive 2007, you can survive 26.2 miles!

things for running | funny reasons why people run | funny quotes for marathon signs

via matt haze

This sign is funny because it’s both clever and true. Britney survived 2007, and you know she had a tough one. So what’s keeping you from surviving a few hours of running?

33. Zombies hate fast food.

how to support a marathon runner | things to tell runners | london marathon signs

Photo by Jordan Avery for Timeout

If you are fast enough, you just might survive the zombie apocalypse.

34. Smile, you paid for this.

funny reasons why people run | pinterest marathon signs | wine marathon signs

Photo by Jordan Avery for Timeout

Sometimes it’s hard to believe you actually paid money to suffer! The least you can do is smile for all your efforts.

35. Why do big run when treadmill do trick?

things runners say | things for running | marathon puns for instagram

Photo by Jordan Avery for Timeout

The Office was one of the funniest shows of the past decade, and is still making us laugh years after being cancelled—even at marathons

36. While you were running…

running spectator shirts | funny running quotes | running puns

Photo by Jaclyn Rivas for Timeout

While you were running, she was having the best day of her life. Hurry up and finish so you can get busy having fun!

37. Bad at math.

funny marathon signs reddit | things to bring to a marathon | best marathon signs 2018

via Aurora’s Blog

While the first sign is supposed to encourage you, the second simply makes you laugh and breaks up the monotony.

38. W.T.F.

short motivational running quotes | things to bring to a marathon | jogging puns

via share cherrie

WTF were you thinking signing up for a marathon? And more importantly, where’s the finish?

39. Cheering isn’t easy either.

running puns | 5k posters | motivational marathon quotes

via ally white

And you thought you were the only one who got up early for the race? This guy set his alarm for 4:00 a.m. to get ready for a long, hard day of standing around.

40. My hot wife is running…and all I do is drink beer!

pinterest marathon signs | running spectator shirts | funny running quotes

via ally white

No matter how lazy he is or how much beer he drinks, we bet this man’s wife still loves him for showing up and supporting her.

41. Me vs. You

marathon puns for instagram | funny reasons why people run | wine marathon signs

via ally white

Some of us choose comfort—others choose to run marathons. Oh well, at least you get a free shirt.

42. Oh, we’re checking those asses!

things runners say | london marathon signs | things for running

via ally white

This one’s for all the singles out there cheering on the thousands of fit runners. Who doesn’t love a nice butt in a pair of running shorts?!

43. A lot of work for a free banana

funny reasons why people run | wine marathon signs | when your legs get tired run with your heart quotes

via agranek

Okay, you’ve probably figured out by now that Ryan Gosling isn’t waiting at the finish line—but there is a free banana. At least you get to eat!

44. Run from your bad Tinder date!

best marathon signs 2017 | funny marathon quotes | things to bring to a marathon

via samantharoberts

As if your childhood and an overly attached girlfriend isn’t enough, now you have to run from a bad Tinder date too! There’s always something that will motivate a runner to go faster—you just have to figure out what they are scared of!

45. Free hugs if you’re not wearing underwear!

london marathon signs | things runners say | things for running

via rtn-rny

Running shorts are notoriously minimalistic, and underwear is the best way to get chafed during a marathon. Leave the undies at home, and you just might score a free hug too!

46. Dad…is that you?

best marathon signs 2017 | how to support a marathon runner | short motivational running quotes

via dinfontay

Tinder dates, overly attached girlfriends, childhood—or how about a child you didn’t know you had. Run faster!

Staying the Course With Marathon Signs

Humor and laughter can bring a lot of benefits to runners, especially during long races like marathons. Plus, they can keep the cheering crowd motivated too. They break up the monotony and quench people’s thirst for fun and entertainment.

We hope that, with the marathon signs we shared above, we were able to inspire you to make your own signs for the next marathon your friend of family member runs.

Did you find this article helpful? If so, please share these ideas and images with your friends through your favorite social media platform. Then get busy drawing those signs!

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