“If you want to come in second…follow me!” (running aphorism)

A plaque remaining from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem.

Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.

Recent entries:
•“Civil engineering implies the existence of criminal engineering” (4/23)
•“Dungeness crab implies the existence of Dragoness crab” (4/23)
•“If you don’t understand why the Electoral College exists, you’re the reason” (4/23)
•Angertainment (anger+ entertainment) (4/23)
•“Everything you see on TV is a scripted performance with the purpose of shaping your world view…” (4/23)
More new entries...

Follow @barrypopik

Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps. Stolen and missing, 2021-2024.

Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.

Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.

Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.

This site is edited by Barry Popik. These are the Cookies and Privacy Policies.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Entry from June 12, 2012

“If you want to come in second…follow me!” (running aphorism)

“If you want to come in second… follow me!” is a popular running aphorism printed on the back of many T-shirts. The saying has been cited in print since at least 2004.

Cool Running Forums
Topic: running quotes
pommer2005
posted Aug-03-2004 09:46 PM
(...)
If you want to come in second, follow me.

Swim City Forum
Re: Favorite Quotes
Posted by: Swimminjen ()
Date: February 15, 2006 11:15PM

wow u all have a lot!! but heres some i do like:
“If you want to come in second, follow me.”

Runner’s World Forums
LostMyHappy
RE: I need something funny for my t-shirt…...
posted at 11/19/2008 6:20 AM CST
If you are looking for some running slogans:

My sport is your sport’s punishment.
And on the seventh day, God did an easy three.
Cheaper than therapy
Don’t Pass Me….I’m not in your Age Group
If you want to come in second…follow me!

BananaRunning
May 25, 2010
What’s your running mantra?
Her shirt is the Nike one that says, “Follow me if you want to come in second.”

RunHastings
Mar 14 2012
Running shirt quotes…
· “Your pace or mine?”
· “Fast girls have good times.”
“Why are all these people following me?”
· Back of shirt: “Like my shirt? After the race, I’ll let you read the front.”
· Back of shirt: “If you can read this, I’m just warming up.”
· · Back of shirt: If you want to come in second…follow me!

Posted by Barry Popik
New York City • Exercise/Running/Health Clubs • Tuesday, June 12, 2012 • Permalink

Commenting is not available in this channel entry.