Two kinds of people will be at the GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon on Sunday: those who run and those who cheer.

An estimated 2,100 will run the 42.2 kilometres, and more than 5,000 will cheer from the sidelines.

And when runners are delirious, itB次元官网网址檚 best to keep the cheers personal.

At least thatB次元官网网址檚 the advice from former elite runner Rob Reid, now race director for the GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon.

Runners who registered early will have their names printed on their bibs and for those who are slugging away at the toughest kilometres of the marathon, shouting out their name might be the best encouragement, Reid said.

B次元官网网址淚t keeps them thinking. A lot of people, depending on what part of the race it is, will kind of exercise dissociation. TheyB次元官网网址檙e thinking of a mantra to keep them focused. TheyB次元官网网址檙e trying to run outside their body a little bit.

B次元官网网址淭he crowd can assist in helping you dissociate or stay outside learning what parts of your body you didnB次元官网网址檛 know you had until 20 miles in.B次元官网网址�

Either way, some runners will appreciate any and all cheering, while others wonB次元官网网址檛 even notice the clamour, said Dave Milne, who ran the marathon last year.

Milne, owner of Peninsula Runners, agrees names are the best way to go, but added:

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 more about cheering, or cowbells, or those thunder sticks, or even pots or pans. B次元官网网址� A lot of peopleB次元官网网址檚 names are on their bibs. Just use their names, B次元官网网址楪o Steve, goB次元官网网址� or B次元官网网址楳ichael, youB次元官网网址檙e looking strong.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淔or people who are in the top 50 or 20 even, say what position theyB次元官网网址檙e in. They like that, to say youB次元官网网址檙e in 20th or 15th feedback from the race is (beneficial). Or that the guy in front of you is hurting.B次元官网网址�

Reid said the distraction of cheering fans can be good or bad for marathoners, depending on their running style. He, for example, has run marathons in Europe and some cheering fans on the sidelines were in costumes, while others were completely naked.

B次元官网网址淚t can distract the runners from the pain theyB次元官网网址檙e feeling,B次元官网网址� he said.

As for the best places to watch the action, Reid recommends a spot where all three races B次元官网网址� the marathon, half-marathon and eight-kilometre road race B次元官网网址� can be seen, such as Beacon Hill Park at Dallas Road or at Mile Zero.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 a really inspirational part of the marathon,B次元官网网址� he said.