Running etiquette

[cheapandcheerful]

Hiya,

I used to live up a horrendously anti-social hill so never really saw anyone when I was out running. Since moving house though, I occasionally come across pedestrians or even other runners...so...what are the rules?

1. If pedestrians are walking in front of me and don't get out of the way, what do I do? Run around them? Cough loudly? Say excuse me please?
   

1. If a pedestrian voluntarily steps out of the way, do I say thank you?
   

1. If I run past another runner, do I say hi? Smile? Ignore?
   

What other unwritten rules are there when it comes to running etiquette?

[MrsFlannel]

You run around them of course. Why would they move for you since you're the one overtaking? It's even more polite to say "Just coming up on your right" as you approach so that you don't startle them.

If a pedestrian moves for you then why wouldn't you thank them?

You don't need to greet other runners.

[Pipbin]

I run at 6am so there are hardly any pedestrians. I greet everyone I pass, including other runners. But then I see the same people every time.

[studiozero]

I would always say thank you as I run around them and yes cough or mutter as I approach.

I always smile and say hello to other runners as I would someone out walking their dog but then I do live in a very rural area where it's the norm.

[ILoveOnionRings]

I always smile (grimace) or nod and say thank you and always acknowledge other runners.

My thoughts are that if I have fell (aka collapsed in an exhausted heap) they may recognise me and come to my aid

[BlueChampagne]

Politeness costs nothing - I would always say 'excuse me' and thank people who moved. I smile at or wave or say hi to other runners (depending on how puffed I am).

I got high-fived by another runner once which was great - we'd already passed each other once going in opposite directions.

[AggressiveBunting]

I always say hi to other runners and say thanks if people get out of the way. If there's room to run around walkers I do. If not (on some of the trails I run there's a bank on one side and a sheer drop on the other) I just shout "passing on your right/left please" when I'm still a way back to give them time to respond and so I'm not yelling in their ears. If they're wearing headphones then sometimes I have to tap them on the shoulder, at which point they often jump about a foot in the air, but not sure what else I can do really.

[Box5883284322679964228]

We live semi rurally and run off road mostly. We shout 'morning' or 'afternoon' at every other walker or runner we see. Also thank people where appropriate - including cars who slow down or move to allow us more space. I use the death stare for crap drivers.

[Suzannewithaplan]

I run with a loud hailer through which I shout 'make way, make way'
?:o

[kittypinot]

I always move around them. And still startle then!

I only say thanks to those who grab their dogs.

Always say hello too if the make eye contact. Some don't - miserable buggers

[Suzannewithaplan]

?
Dogs often appear to take great pleasure in getting in the way of runners and cyclists
So many people using public paths have a whole flocks of dogs these days? I find them a real nuisance

[kittypinot]

Oh and those retractable leads! Fucking menace!

[chocolatescones]

I once went for a run with a guy who said a really loud cheery hello to evey runner we passed it was great! I try and do that when I remember / aren't too knackered!

[chocolatescones]

I once ran with a friend who say a nice loud cheery hello to evey runner we passed, it cheered me up and I try to do it when I remember and not too tired! Always dodge pedestrians, it's easier than if they try to and you both go the same way!

Anyone ever had a pedestrian move out of the way when it's a really wide path and just the two of you? So weird! Kind but weird!

[FirstOfficerDouglasRichardson]

I mainly come across male runners when running (and always coming from the other direction) and they always move for me and get a smile and a thank you in return. If I need to overtake someone I go around them.

People walking dogs are a whole different kettle of fish, they never seem to ring the dog into them so I'm always dodging dogs and trying not to trip over their leads.

[FirstOfficerDouglasRichardson]

After reading this thread though I might start hello to fellow runners.

[Suzannewithaplan]

most dog owners are courteous, a few are decidedly not, I've found people are more likely to be antagonistic towards me when I'm cycling than when I'm running.

I try to always be polite, thank people if they make room for me, never engage with people who are rude

[rb32]

Depends where I am. If I'm running round a town in the middle of the day, I don't usually bother saying hello to anyone. My usual is 6am round a nice large park and say hello to everyone I see!

[123rd]

I always try and make eye contact /raise a hand to an on coming runner. ( can't tell if they have earphones in) and always thank people who move out of my way. Does make me smile when, as pp said, there is plenty of room and people still take a massive step out of the way

[WildRunner]

I always say hello, smile or acknowledge other runners (and for that matter cyclists, walkers, horse riders etc). It seems to be the norm around here, so if I'm running in a new place, especially cities, I do find it really ignorant when other runners don't acknowledge you!

If I'm coming up behind someone, I do try to alert them to my presence so they're not alarmed, especially if it's dark and they're on their own. A simple "Coming through on your left / right" usually suffices, but sometimes even that startles people

Always, always thank people who move out of the way. We're all sharing the same space after all.

Dog walkers who put their dogs back on the lead or call them to heel when they see me get an extra special thank you in a vain attempt to condition them not to let their precious charges bite me

[Suzannewithaplan]

on a bike I start dinging my bell well in advance, mostly people understand that sound indicates an approaching cyclist, but sometimes they just dont hear.

Perhaps someone could invent a 'runners hooter' and a public information campaign could be initiated to let people know that when they hear 'honk honk' on a foot path it means a runner is about to dash or shuffle in my case past

[MrsRossPoldark]

I always say 'hi' or just lift my hand in an exhausted wave to acknowledge other runners. Sometimes they don't respond if they're concentrating but most would rather be cheered up by a friendly greeting!

Only polite to thank people if they move out if the way. If I was walking fast I'd thank them so running doesn't make any difference.

[MrsRossPoldark]

Suzannewithsplan: interesting re cycling. When I use my bell to warn people I often get a tut or a snarl (how rude) so I always say thank you as I pass. If they obviously didn't hear me & don't move, I just get off & push! When running, it's easy just run round them. If they get a fright - tough!

[Nandocushion]

It's bad form not to acknowledge other runners. If you don't want to say anything, smile and/or give a little wave.

[chocolatescones]

I wouldn't say its bad form Nandocushion, if I'm running hard and concentrating I don't always acknowledge other people and don't mind if other runners do the same. Can't forget some people run for some 'me' time and enjoy he solitude.

[IronMaggie]

Hmm not sure. I can sometimes manage a little wave / grunt if someone moves out of the way but I'm usually running rather than jogging so can't really manage speech. I also don't tend to wear my glasses when running so can't see if people are mouthing hellos at me.

There doesn't seem to be any real camaraderie between runners round my way, but I hope I'm not just being rude by ignoring people. That's yet another thing to worry about!!