To think runners are getting a lot of hate atm

[HerstoryInTheMaking]

All over social media I am hearing a lot of nasty and snarky comments towards runners, especially from people who would never usually exercise outdoors anyways.

Aibu to think social distancing is a two way street and that those walking should also attempt social distancing. I as a marathon runner try my best to avoid people often walking in a group along a path who refuse to budge an inch.

This is a massive problem in my area, there are always a lot of runners, I live by the beach.
The issue is the people who have decided to take up running since the lockdown and have no idea about etiquette. They are literally panting and puffing their way in the middle of the footpath sweat flying everywhere with zero consideration for anyone around them, never moving aside or considering other people walking. I've stopped using my usual walking spots because of them.

I'm a runner.
Not one single person has ever moved for me when I've been running along a path, including family group taking up the whole paths.

I have quickly learnt to change direction, or run way off path the moment I see someone else.
I also go out as late as possible, when the routes are much quieter - which they are compared to usual.
I wear noise-cancelling headphones, so don't notice if a runner/cyclist is coming up behind me, but this is very rare now, because of the routes/times I pick.

I have a dog who runs off-lead with me who people often want to stop and cuddle, which my dog will happily oblige if she's not in full throttle, luckily no-one has tried this since lock-down otherwise they would get properly shouted at!

We don't really meet dog walkers now either.

I actually love this aspect of the lock-down, much less road traffic and I'm anti-social when I'm running with my dog, so its a nice excuse to avoid people, and be outside enjoying the change in season and listening to up-lifting music.

I think as is always the case it's the unreasonable on both sides that cause the issue.

I'm a runner , I detest the small minority if runners who winge about new people starting , I mean seriously? I think its bloody brilliant people are using the opportunity to exercise ? It's just arrogant self entitlement to winge about that and tells everyone around you what kind of idiot you are.

Saying that the other side of it is people just not showing common courtesy , I deliberately move myself rather than expect others to move (in fairness its logical , I am going faster than someone walking so it's much easier for me to alter my route to social distance ) but I've had glares for what I assume is my mere existence as a runner. Honestly I just laugh at people like that, outright as I run past. I am obsessively careful about distance.

Basically yet again some people are using this to inflict their own requirements on others on both sides and need to calm the fuck down and realise they do not run the world.

Saying that asking a runner the time as mentioned above , yeah , it's not about being special it's just about being an inconsiderate arse. I wouldn't stop someone in the middle of a cycle , or whilst dealing with a childs tantrum, or anything else someone is doing to ask a stupid question about the time.

I have a problem with some runners.

The only people I have come across who have not done the 2m distance are the runners. Some of them seem so focussed on their run they will go past right next to you. They approach quickly from behind, you don't know they're there. The road I am walking on the pavement next to is pretty wide and generally empty. There is no reason why they can't divert into the road to give proper clearance.

I have taken to looking behind me every 30s which really shouldn't be necessary. That way I can cross the road if I see one approaching.

I am going for a walk everyday. I spend half my time moving whilst others never seem to move. Runners are the worst as they dont want to stop and start but it is perfectly acceptable for walkers to stop and start apparently. Also people get annoyed about toddlers when IMO this is the one group you should reserve patience for.

I'm a runner and like to think I'm a respectful one. I do think it's fab to see more people out running. However I've also got a new game of 'spot the non runner running'... This week's finds so far include a man running in office shoes (complete with running shorts and a high vis top) and a woman in skinny jeans. But hey, they're out getting steps in so fair play to them.

Im a runner -not a new one - and im not getting any hate. But i can go for miles and not see anyone so who would hate me?

I have no problem with runners if they stop when needed and practise social distancing the same as everybody else.If you are coming up behind you can’t expect pedestrians to move. They won’t know you’re there. You will have to and must move round at the correct safe distance if you want to overtake. You may well have to stop.If you’re coming face on at pedestrians you may well need to stop whilst groups sort themselves out. Coming straight at people and expecting them to scatter out the way is rude. Every single person has a right to be out doing their exercise however they please and however annoying to those who run. At the moment we are all entitled to be out and do what works for us. Runners will have to adjust to more numbers, it’s as simple as that.

Runner takes a step left, Walker takes a step left. Sorted

I think there is a lot of pent-up hate towards runners, most of it completely justified, but the current lockdown is giving people the courage to express it.

If you need to run, run, but get a bloody treadmill.

If you need to run, run, but get a bloody treadmill.

You could say that about lots of things. If you need to exercise your dog, buy a house with a bigger backyard...

If you need to run, run, but get a bloody treadmill

Not everyone has the privilege of being able to afford a treadmill, or have the space for one.

Most runners are absolutely fine, its just the (always male) inconsiderate ones I came across last weekend that don't bother to move and come up right beside you huffing, puffing and sweating as if they own the pavement that bother me. One guy was even coughing as he passed me.

I haven't made any comments about runners previously but I had two yesterday run up behind me and they were far too close, the one even slowed down to try and pet my bloody dog. They were both sweaty and huffing all over the place. Yes if I see one coming towards me I'll try and move but when they're approaching at speed from behind it's not so easy.

I cant afford a treadmill and while its permitted I will run outside, keeping clear of popular footpaths, and sticking to main roads (which are more boring for people to go for walks on) giving other road/pavement users a wide berth.
I'm bemused that people talk about "runners" as if every runner behaves the same. Running in itself , isnt an antisocial activity. There probably are unsociable twatty runners, just as there are twattish cyclists, dog walkers, drivers etc. There are inconsiderate folks in all activities and all walks of life, but most people I've come across are all just doing their best and keeping out of each others way.

I don’t know how much hate they are getting but I’m sure most of it is well deserved.

I have only been out once in 3 weeks, was out for 40 minutes and in that time I saw a grand total of 8 people and no cars. Of those 8 people, 3 of them were runners who had to go past me less than a 2 metres apart even when the pavement and streets were deserted. It is beggars belief... really.

At least as a runner I'm not sitting on a bench along the cycle path, letting my toddler have a little toddler about. I'm not sitting on a bench with my beau admiring the view. I'm not sitting with a group of other blokes, on a wall, admiring the view and having a few cans. I'm not standing still, in a shady corner presumably waiting for my dealer/customer.

At least I'm constantly moving! Although I should probably find somewhere less irritating to run; that was during one run.

Im a runner, have been for years. Some runners are dicks, however also dicks are groups of three/four people spread across the path who won’t move for you.
And there are probably a lot of new runners who don’t know the etiquette.

I will always step on the road in safe to do so, I will always aim to give at least 6ft of space.

However yesterday I was out in the park, saw a family group so stopped for a moment so they could have time to maybe get away from being all abreast. They didn’t. One of them must have been 2 cm away from me when they past.

There is a lot of hate for a lot of people at the moment and it’s tiring. Exercise is good for people’s mental and physical health. There is nothing wrong with runners, there are some people who are rude bastards, which is true in all hobby groups.

@DuesToTheDirt
Of course it should be the runner to move with the obvious proviso that everyone should be considerate of one another.

Joggers are alone and clearly have the physical advantage in many respects, they know their pace, can better estimate distance they need to move to avoid other people etc. I am disabled. I don’t look disabled. Many people out and about will be in the same situation.

I cannot nor should not be expected to move for you. Move over on the path, yes, as long as that does not affect my walking ie no camber or bumps in the path or drops to one side of the path. But nothing more.

If that affects your time, tough. You’re doing something, I could never dream of being able to do.

@Mummyoflittledragon, where did I say I expected people to move, or that I am worried about my time? My post was about the male/female dynamics of moving. In particular 3 guys walking abreast who didn't modify their path at all.

If people stick to one side of a path or the other, nobody needs to expect anyone to move. Preferably people would stick to the left and you don't end up on the same side.

But if you walk, run or cycle in the middle of a path or meander all over it, that is obviously going to cause an issue. It causes an issue at all times not just now. It's just that at the moment everyone is conscious of social distancing.

If I see someone I move over from a long way back, if it's safe to cross the road I will. I tend to do that in normal times anyway as I don't like passing close to people.

But I am not walking in the gutter because you won't move over or go single file. Presumably you wouldn't decide to drive all over the road and expect other drivers to move, so why is it ok to do it when walking, cycling or running.

Runners are not the problem here, inconsiderate people are.

And if you can't hear people approaching, you need to stop wearing your headphones. It's never a good idea from a safety perspective anyway, you can't hear traffic or people who might want to do you harm.

Of those 8 people, 3 of them were runners who had to go past me less than a 2 metres apart even when the pavement and streets were deserted

Or you decided to go past 3 of them less than 2 metres apart even when the pavements and streets were deserted. Is there a reason you expect them to move, rather than you? When I see people from a long way back I react quickly and move as soon as it's safe to do so - I do that whether running or walking. But I am interested in your viewpoint that they passed close to you, not the other way round, and the onus was on them to move, rather than you.

@cologne4711 If they came up behind her and she didn't realise maybe?

Surely the person running ought to make the effort to run round others rather than expecting them to move? That's what I always do, and the other runners I see out and about seem to do the same.

The problem is some of the runners I've seen don't move, they just carry on their trajectory and don't even move to side of path!

Many have been courteous too and there are unthinking people in all groups