First, let me say...stop being disheartened.  Did you get into running to make friends or improve your health and your life.?  In my opinion running is a solitary activity, not a group social event. 

With that said.... to answer your question...

Yes. But we're all judged on our looks, and we all judge other people based on their looks.  So I say....get over it. I'm black every single day. Do people wanna hear me whine (that lady looked at my hair funny, that sales clerk is ignoring I'm at the counter while she helps the white lady who just walked up, etc. etc.)  about what that means. No. Do I wanna hear people who are big (which is mostly because of choices they've made) complain that they're judged by their size, and not being accepted? Not really. You're not going to be accepted every where, every day. If it's a big enough problem for you...then lose weight; which it seems you're doing (which you should applaud yourself for, it's hard to lose weight). Just make sure when you're down to a size 6   from all the running (and eating right) that you don't turn around judge the next "big" girl.

Good Luck!!

I used to be morbidly obese. I have lost 115lb the past 2 yrs. I am still considered overweight for my 5'3" frame.

I just completed my 2nd 5k. I ran with 3000 other runners. I went there scared out of my mind. My husband who has been a life long runner trained me along with the couch to 5k program. His words to me were "RUN YOUR OWN RACE" don't worry about the others around you. everyone here is trying to run the race. Believe me I checked out all the skinny woman thinking I wish I was them. But in the end this race was for me and no one else.

Wow!  Where are you running into all of these rude people?!  I have run dozens  of races (mostly 5k's) at this point in my life and I have never recieved anything but praise and encouragement from runners and nonrunners.  Never have I been made to feel bad about my pace or the reasons why I run!!  Apparently some people never get it or are too narrow minded to get it!  I have always been in awe of anyone who chooses to pin that number to their shirt and run in all kinds of weather to finish a race whether it be a 5k or an ultra!!  So, keep it up-remember- if it's not fun, why run?!

Roadrunner3041

I have yet to experience any kind of poor behaviour from anyone at a race.......but I am 4 times the size of most runners......

fear has it's advantages

Let me first say- I love this thread. There's a lot of encouragment and positive thoughts in it, but also some not so positive thoughts.(ie-taking "barbie down a notch) I would probably be considered a thinner runner, but I don't need to be taken down a notch. If you praise yourself for passing "Barbie" you're no better than the people who said "At least we won't finish last." You're encouraging yourself with negative thoughts about other people. I may be skinny, but there are lots of heavier people out there who run better than I do. Like so many other people have said, how much you weigh doesn't really correlate to how far you can run and how fast your mile time is. In the end you should focus on yourself, not who you're passing and what they look like compared to you. Set goals for your time, or your distance- not how soon you'll pass the skinny person.  Run for yourself and no one else.

Some do some don't.  The ones that look at me and make comments about my ability aren't worth my time.  Most are encouraging and just happy to see another runner, no matter what their size.  My first experience with a race volunteer, not a skinny runner.  It took me a long time before I decided to sign up for my first 5K.  When I picked up my race packet the volunteer couldn't find my packet.  She had assumed I was walking and looked in the wrong spot.  At first I was hurt and angry, then I got mad.  In August I ran my first 1/2 marathon and no one made any assumptions (at least not to my face), it was one of the best experiences of my life. 

Hello. I may be a few years late on responding to this post, but I think it's very important to stay focused on what is important; that is finishing the race at your own pace.

I fall under the "Athena" group weighing in at 179 lbs and dropping; I just finished a 10k on Saturday 12:15 pace and surprisingly wasn't the last one to come in. I don't care what the faster runners think, I accept them the way they are. I do have a secret to participating in each event I always dedicate my run to a loved one living or deceased and it ALWAYS  gets me through.

Happy walking/jogging/running no matter what size or weight you are!

~A. Fierro

Avondale Az.