You’re standing in a frosty car park at 7:40am. Your nipples could cut glass. You’ve queued for the portaloo twice. You’re questioning your life choices. And then like a beacon of misguided optimism, he arrives.
The DJ.
Perched on a fold-up table. Wearing sunglasses despite the fog. Pumping out ‘Mr. Brightside’ like he’s warming up for the Ibiza closing party and not a fun run through an industrial estate in Laois.
And somehow… we’re okay with it.
1. The Song Choices Are Mad, But They Work
Start line DJs operate in a different reality. One where:
- ‘Eye of the Tiger’ is still considered edgy
- ‘Uptown Funk’ gets a full body reaction
- And ‘Can’t Stop the Feeling’ is apparently the spiritual anthem of endurance sport
You’d never put this playlist on at home. You’d skip half of it if it came on in the car. But in that moment, cold, tired, nervous, your foot starts tapping and you actually feel… hyped?
It's psychological warfare, and it’s highly effective.
2. They Shout Things That Don’t Make Sense
- “Let’s hear you make some noise!”
(Sir, it’s 8:06am. Some of us are still digesting half a bagel.) - “Who’s ready to race?!”
(Absolutely no one. Half the field still has their tracksuit bottoms on.) - “Only five minutes to go!”
(You say this every three minutes. Stop lying.)
They speak in pure start line gibberish, a mix of cheerleader, auctioneer, and local GAA MC. It shouldn’t work. But weirdly… it does.
3. They Are Single Handedly Responsible for Group Warm Ups
Ah yes, the pre race mass warm up. Where 200 people half heartedly jog on the spot while trying not to make eye contact with anyone doing enthusiastic star jumps.
The DJ will cue it up like it’s the World Cup final:
- “Let’s get that energy up!”
- “Arms in the air! Loosen those hips!”
- “Let’s gooooooo!”
Meanwhile, you’re doing hamstring swings beside a bin and pretending this is all perfectly normal.
4. They Don’t Let Weather (or Dignity) Get in the Way
Rain? Fog? Wind strong enough to blow the bibs off your chest? Doesn’t matter. The DJ will be there, wearing a branded windbreaker, aggressively vibing behind a pop-up table and one massive speaker powered by what you assume is sheer will.
No coat. No shelter. Just raw enthusiasm and an aux cable.
It’s heroic. It’s mildly unhinged. It’s the exact energy we didn’t know we needed.
5. Somehow, It’s All Weirdly Comforting
There’s something ritualistic about it now. You arrive. You pin your bib. You hear the DJ doing his thing. And it settles you.
You might still hate every step of the race, but that chaotic 25 minute window of cheesy music and inexplicable crowd chants makes you feel like part of something, even if that something is just a bunch of sleep deprived adults pretending ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ is going to carry them through a 10K.
Final Word
Start line DJs make no sense on paper. They play wedding disco bangers at an hour when most people are still in bed. They yell motivational nonsense at shivering runners. And yet… we love them.
Because sometimes, when you're cold, nervous, and doubting your ability to run 6.2 miles without incident, all you really need is someone to blast ‘Mr. Brightside’ and scream “LET’S GOOOO!” into a cheap microphone.
And in that moment against all odds it works.