Piers Morgan wants masks worn whilst running...

[Trulyatraditionalman]

AIBU to think this is ridiculous?

Not a fan of Piers Morgan but absolutely agree runners should be masked. Hate being trapped on narrow paths with them panting over the place and not SD because God forbid they might have to slow down - clue, if the path is so busy you can't ru unimpeded you should not be running. Pretty disgusting at any time but fucking inconsiderate and worse right now. You are not special just because you can jog round your local park.

I'm quite amused by the "I am a runner and therefore a saviour of the NHS" posts.

Who care what Piers Morgan wants? (Misses point of thread.)

@BabblativeBean

I was out for a walk last night and a runner came up behind me (I didn't hear him as I was talking to DS) and overtook, banging against my side while huffing and puffing loudly in my ear. It was such.a shock, he actually made me jump and squeal and before I had time to collect myself, his mate come past and did almost the same thing (but not as close).

The road was absolutely deserted so it would have been no problem for them to move out.

DS and I always move out of people's way, walk in a line, move into the road or cross the road and we would have done so if we'd seen these blokes coming towards us, but as they were behind us there wasn't anything I could do. Which really pissed me off.

All of the runners (and the cyclists on pavements) behaving badly that I've encountered have been men. Women (and a good deal of men) seem to be able to distance themselves, but there are enough inconsiderate arseholes near me to justify a rant.

Rant over.

Agree. Runners huffing and puffing running right past your ear. Urgh. Some male runners spitting too. Vile.

I think it would be much harder in cities and areas with less green space or interesting places to go so more crowded.
I live fairly near countryside and the more well known or "obvious" footpaths are often busy but I know quite a lot of smaller paths and different routes. Dh, DS and I went for a 3 mile walk on Sunday afternoon and we literally saw about 5 other people (from a sensible distance- no one had to move from their oroginal trajectory)
I run with a friend fairly frequently and we try to choose quieter routes. On sunday we were running down a hill and both went into the road to avoid a family (about 5 people and a dog) on the pavement. It literally did not seem to occur to them that they could walk in single file (or 2 abreast)
To the people saying the onus is on the runner to move as they are travelling at higher speed and would hurt someone if they ran in to them...surely its in everyones interset to move. When I am running and I am sharing a lane with a horse or car, I move because I don't want to get hurt, regardless of what their plans are! Of course I would never run into someone, (although a few times I nearly tripped over a dog) and would always change course to avoid collision, but I feel there should be mutual consideration. If the walker can see me coming and I can see them, we could both move, and acknowledge the other person. Its not that hard?

What's the betting that the majority (all) of the YABUs are not runners?

"Have you been in a London park during lockdown? They are absolutely rammed with people because there is literally nowhere else to go. And the fields are mud so everyone is crammed into the paths. It's not enjoyable, most of us have stopped going."

That statement is self-contradictory: which is it?
The parks are so crowded nobody goes there... or the parks are super crowded because everybody goes there. Including the person who complains they can't go there because how dare everyone else go there...

Every time someone says some place is like X, I go look on live webcams. I never see the much discussed crowds. Very hidden seas of mud.

I don't find runners too much of a problem here (and I live in a city with a very popular running route). They, cyclists, and pedestrians all seem to share the space fine. The only people that annoy me are those who are ambling incredibly slowly in groups that make it hard to get round, or who are smoking/vaping. That's far worse than runners. So no, I wouldn't support masking them. Let them enjoy their exercise, there's little else to enjoy right now.

I rarely run myself but if I did there's no way I'd be wearing a mask to do so either. I'd be more dangerous not being able to see where I was going.

It's not enjoyable, most of us have stopped going

If most of you have stopped going, they must be nearly empty again then? Maybe you can go back.

"Another poster complained that walkers don't notice runners coming up behind them, are we supposed to walk backwards?"

You're supposed to look around you from time to time. I've lost count of the times I'm running and can see half a mile in front of me, and the pedestrians (or more often, two pedestrians taking up the whole path) don't look around once. Just bumbling along in the middle of the path, usually with headphones on. I cross the road if possible and run on the other footpath, but if I can't cross then more often than not I have to run into the road. But runners are the selfish ones.

I wait. I stop. I move in to mud or the road to give people space. Walkers never do that.

All these pedestrians complaining they're being brushed up against on a footpath. If there are two of you, one keeps to the left and one keeps to the right. What is the problem here? No need to brush past anyone, so the only way that's happening is if the pedestrian isn't on the right or left. Or the runner is sweeping over from a space on a pathway to deliberately brush past them. Righto.

There are arsehole runners. Arsehole pedestrians. Arsehole dog walkers. But I can tell you as a seasoned runner that the number of arseholes has risen during Covid; so I can't wait for things to get back to normal because half these people won't be seen shortly.

@lljkk

"Have you been in a London park during lockdown? They are absolutely rammed with people because there is literally nowhere else to go. And the fields are mud so everyone is crammed into the paths. It's not enjoyable, most of us have stopped going."

That statement is self-contradictory: which is it?
The parks are so crowded nobody goes there... or the parks are super crowded because everybody goes there. Including the person who complains they can't go there because how dare everyone else go there...

Every time someone says some place is like X, I go look on live webcams. I never see the much discussed crowds. Very hidden seas of mud.

Okay to be super-specific: most of the people I know have stopped going to the local park at busy times because it is so crowded. It was never this crowded before lockdown, the difference is very noticeable.

But my park doesn't have a webcam so I guess you'll never believe me.

I remember right at the beginning of the pandemic the same people who are frothing now about runners were getting into a flap about cyclists.
They shouldn't be allowed out.
All these new cyclists!
They're not real cyclists!
They're so inconsiderate!

Same old shit, different packaging.

Imo people who have always done a lot of walking know from experience that the open spaces are for all and they are less likely to get in a flap bout it.
It's probably the people who, pre covid, spent most of their spare time shopping or gyming and have only recently started spending more time outdoors (not through choice) who are the most intolerant of others.

Oh and to add, when I'm running and there are people in walking in front of me I,

Call out to say runner coming through if they have their backs to me, then if I can I detour round them to the right (I really wish people would keep to the left as is the standard when running races/parkrun etc, it would make passing easier). If they make no effort to move to one side, go single file etc, I check if there are any cars coming behind me and sprint past, if there are cars coming then I'll walk until it's safe to pass.
If they're coming towards me, I'll generally do the same, except I'll be annoyed that they didn't make the attempt to make space by walking in the road (exactly the same as I would if we're walking) as it would be safer for them, being able to see if there are any cars coming and everything.
If I'm on a narrow pavement/track, then I'll make the judgement as to whether I can get to the safest place to allow passing first, do the same when I'm walking. If I can get to the place to pass first, then I will and then I wait. If that means that I have to wait for 5min while they walk across a field then that's what I do. But that's what I think everyone should do, not just me (and 99% of the time it is me).
Living in a small community, I know most of the runners (and local pre-lockdown walkers) and that's what most of us do anyway.
I don't spit, so you don't have to worry about that. I also go out of my way to stop if it's someone older, less able that's in front of me, I'm happy to walk if I need to.
Now is also not the time to try and get prs, I do my fast runs at stupid o'clock so there aren't people on the pavements.

I stop running loads to let walkers past. Most are thankful and cheery. They say "are you stopping to be kind or to have a rest?" And I say "ooh bit of both" and we both laugh.

Such larks.

I’m all in favour of runners and anything that encourages healthy lifestyles.

I do take issue that pedestrians should be regularly checking behind them so they can move to one side and let runners pass. You are not a police car blue lighting its way down a road. You give way to that which is in front of you and overtake when it is safe to do so. Obviously any half-courteous person will move out of the way once they have seen you, but you cannot expect them to be actively watching their back lest you approach them.

@IrmaFayLear

Frankly I wish joggers could all go and run in big stadiums (stadia?!) or up and down airport runways.

It’s not just the puffing, it’s the arrogant pavement hogging and single-minded pounding so everyone else has to scatter, because their fitness is absolutely paramount .

Athletics tracks are closed due to the pandemic.

There always seems to be this hatred amongst some people of those moving faster than others. Strangely, this hatred never seems to extend to speeding drivers who kill and injure people!

How slow are you actually meant to move in this country? Is dawdling actually considered something to aim for, along with lack of exercise and fitness?

Or is it simply that those who don't run, cycle, etc are less voluble on internet forums because they get rid of their frustrations by exercising?

All these pedestrians complaining they're being brushed up against on a footpath. If there are two of you, one keeps to the left and one keeps to the right. What is the problem here? No need to brush past anyone, so the only way that's happening is if the pedestrian isn't on the right or left. Or the runner is sweeping over from a space on a pathway to deliberately brush past them. Righto.

Or how about: there is a line of people walking one way on the path, and a line of people walking the other way, trying to keep at least some distance. Then a runner comes along and runs between everyone without distancing.

This is how crowded it is on the weekends in my park, I don't go at those times anymore.

@TheSockMonster

I’m all in favour of runners and anything that encourages healthy lifestyles.

I do take issue that pedestrians should be regularly checking behind them so they can move to one side and let runners pass. You are not a police car blue lighting its way down a road. You give way to that which is in front of you and overtake when it is safe to do so. Obviously any half-courteous person will move out of the way once they have seen you, but you cannot expect them to be actively watching their back lest you approach them.

I actually agree with this. Nobody should have to check behind them. If both people are moving in the same direction, the onus is on the one behind to move around the one in front. Skiing has the same rule, apparently.

@TheSockMonster I agree, if that person is keeping to the left (or right, just choose one) then others can pass safely and with distance. But if you're taking up the available space by walking in the middle, you need to have your wits about you. Otherwise it's selfish behaviour.

I do live in the country so any encounters I have are few and far between and people tend to at least smile or say hello. If you're in a city or built up area (the photos you see of busy parks in the paper etc) it must be a nightmare for walkers, runners, everyone.

@TheSockMonster

I’m all in favour of runners and anything that encourages healthy lifestyles.

I do take issue that pedestrians should be regularly checking behind them so they can move to one side and let runners pass. You are not a police car blue lighting its way down a road. You give way to that which is in front of you and overtake when it is safe to do so. Obviously any half-courteous person will move out of the way once they have seen you, but you cannot expect them to be actively watching their back lest you approach them.

See that is the kind of attitude I just don't get.

Do you not think that walkers should be aware of their surroundings?? Surely you need to be aware of who is around you anyway, I know I am. There are much worse people around than runners, such as muggers (and rapists). If you can't hear someone coming up behind you then a glance over your shoulder every now again may well save you from serious harm.

@dreamingbohemian that does sound like a nightmare and not enjoyable at all.

Oh right. I thought it was a professor in primary care who was saying it on his show.

I have nothing against runners. Certainly where I live people are courteous for the most part. I'm happy to step to one side to let runner pass as I understand they need to keep their momentum and pace. It really isn't a big deal. If I were running I definitely wouldn't like to wear a mask and think its unnecessary as long as people show common courtesy (both ways!)

He can fuck off

Runners don't think that they're saviours of the NHS. Lazy people who now think that they are glorious for staying the fuck at home do.

I wonder how many people moaning and whining about runners actually smoke, are overweight, drink too much. Generally can't be bothered to take care of their own health.

Yet complain about the minuscule risk of a runner going by them?