By Coach Adolfo Salgueiro
After years of running, 100+ races and thousands of miles under my soles, I have all developed my very personal running habits. Just as you have developed yours. Some good, some bad, some questionable. At the same time, we have all established our running pet peeves.
Even though there is nothing written, there are some basic guidelines that every runner must keep to be part of an ever-improving running community. One where friends and strangers can be proud of being a part of. Some are to keep us safe, some to make the running experience more fulfilling and some to have more enjoyable races.
These are my 10 basic guidelines on running etiquette:
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Slow runners are no less of an athlete than fast runner. Each group needs to be aware and respectful of the other (Photo Pexels)
Be mindful of other runners around you: It doesn’t matter if you are fast, slow, walker or if you are so tired you are crawling. Most of the time you are not the only person on the road, so you need to be aware of other runners. The last thing you want is to get injured, so make sure you are not the one responsible for someone else getting injured.
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Respect slower runners: Both in training and in races, you will cross paths with slower runners. The fact they can’t run as fast as you, doesn’t make them less of an athlete. No need to be rude or discourteous. Be aware and respectful of the fact they are also putting their best effort forward.
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Respect faster runners: Just as you expect to be respected as a slow runner, if you are in this category you must respect the presence of runners faster than you. Don’t crowd the corners, don’t take the inside lane on the track, don’t clog the path by running side-by-side with too many people and be aware of your surroundings when stopping to walk.
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Acknowledge other Runners: Nobody expects you to stop what you are doing or change your pace to say hi to a stranger. But as runners, I think we all agree that acknowledging each other’s presence is the most basic form of good running etiquette. Tip your hat, make eye contact, nod, grunt, lift your arm or say an audible “hey”.
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Don’t interfere while taking selfies: They have become ubiquitous in running. If there is no selfie, it didn’t happen. We get it! You can take all the running selfies you want as long as it doesn’t interfere with other runners, especially during a race. Go to the side of the road, get out of the way and then knock yourself out with as many selfies your phone can handle. But always remember that your selfie is not another moving runner’s priority.
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Just because you isolate with your headphones doesn’t mean I am not there: it is your prerogative to run with headphones. If it provides you with a better experience, go for it. But it is your responsibility to be aware of your surroundings, not mine. I don’t know if you are wearing them or not so don’t expect anyone to be on the lookout for you while isolated.
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Do not stop abruptly at water stations: I am not sure where this walk-break at water stops trend began. This is a place where lots of moving people congregate simultaneously, many eyeing the same cup of liquid, and it is usually very slippery. If you need to stop, take your water, move out of the way, check your surroundings, and then stop. It is basic, common sense.
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Carry your own trash: Even when running we usually produce trash. At races, your entry fee includes trash pick up at water stop, but when training, it is not the case. Just as you carried your gel or your water bottle with you, make sure you carry their byproduct trash until you find the proper way to dispose of it. During a race, this is the water stop.
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Act like an adult when it comes to bodily functions: They are inevitable when you are running. Burping, snot rockets, spitting and farting are commonplace and a normal part of a healthy functioning body, especially when running. Don’t make anyone feel bad. Be mature and just let it go. Because it is a matter of time before it is your turn.
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Respect your membership in WhatsApp and Facebook groups: Most runners are in more than one social media group, and most groups have way too many people to keep track of multiple conversations. Limit your interactions to group related postings so your group can become relevant. I bet you are member of plenty of other groups where you share your non-running memes, jokes and political commentary.
Anything I missed? What is your running pet peeve?
Great article!
My “running pet peeve” is as follows…
There have been many times I have been driving along isolated, bendy, country roads.
I live in England UK and I appreciate you may live in an urban area where there may not be many isolated roads.
However, my concern is people running in the same direction of the cars; rather than facing the traffic.
My issue with this is as a driver you may not see the runner, and as they are running in the same direction as the car, they can’t see you and dodge out of the way.
AND there’s times the runner is wearing head/ear phones.
So not only do they not SEE you, they can’t HEAR you either.
Also, if runners wore light or bright clothing, that’ll make them more visible.
How many runners, running the same direction as my one lonely car, listening to music, wearing dark clothes, on a dark, isolated road, have I come across is concerning.
The first time I came across this situation, it was a female runner.
I too am female.
I didn’t feel comfortable with stopping the car and speaking to her about keeping safe in case she thought I was a lone male who she may have perceived as a predator or perceived me as looking for an argument.
Equally speaking, I’d have felt really bad if anything did later happen to her.
I shudder to think about a hit and run situation… 💔
Thank you for you input on the subject. I agree with what you say. Runner’s safety is each runner’s responsibility. Regardless of who is right, if a car hits you, you will be on the losing end of that argument.
Thank you for your input.
It’s amazing how number 10 seems to be so difficult to understand by the running community
That one ranks pretty high on my list, but I didn’t want to put it too high because I know people would take it too personal.
Soooooo accurate, Adolfo!!! Every one of these tips/guidelines are applicable to all of us. I’m big on the acknowledging others. I was taught to acknowledge anyone within 5 feet of myself at all times as a sign of respect and I believe the same applies out on the road. I can’t, however, conform to #9…I can’t act like an adult and will ALWAYS laugh at farts haha!
Thank you for your reply, Amanda. As for item #9, I feel that having some fun with it is totally fin, as long as the perpetrator doesn’t end up feeling bad about it. Eventually, we will all have a turn passing gas while running.
👊🏿💯 love it! Truth #4 #7 But to each his own. Hey, some don’t see others while running/ racing 😉 Yep, take your water move out of the way… anyways… all great tips 👌🏿
Thank you for your comment, Ethel. I don’t understand how people can just stop abruptly at a water stop. Why is so difficult to understand that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of people running behind you while eying the same water cups?
Love these!! Perhaps it’s just me but…..
Music loud enough for others to hear and singing music aloud. 😕 I’ve found myself running to the tempo of the song(one reason I don’t run with music).
Loud non stop talking. I prefer to solve my problems in my head and not hear someone else’s while running.
Thank you for your contribution. That is a good one. You can listen to all the music you want, as long as you are not forcing anyone else to be part of it. In this day and age, when headphones are ubiquitous, there is no reason for that.