Running Rules

[Fitat501970]

I havent posted anything for a while but find everyone really supportive and helpful so I have a question on running in the park away from traffic. I was running 10k this morning and was running on the left hand side of the path when another runner was coming towards me. I thought she will go to her left as normally everyone runs on the left but no she came straight at me, so I went more left off the path and when we got level she swore at me and said I should of gone right! Was I wrong or should she of gone left, its the first altercation I have had and from another runner it sort of made it worse.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

That’s not a good experience for you, I can’t help with your question though hopefully others will be able to

[nowster Graduate10]

As far as I know there are no such rules. There's only the Highway Code.

[Fitat501970 Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Ha ha, I meant an unspoken rule that people tend to follow.

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Fitat501970]

By the Highway Code I meant that where there is no pavement you're supposed to walk or run on the side of the road that faces the oncoming traffic. (The principle of see and be seen.)

On a path or the pavement, I'd personally keep to the left.

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10]

Sorry you had this experience Fitat50. I’m not aware there are any rules on this but as nowster says, if I were on the road I’d face the oncoming traffic but on a footpath I try to keep left. I think you just came across someone with their own preference who wasn’t about to give way!

[Fitat501970 Graduate10 in reply to Oldgirlruns]

I think your right perhaps she was focused but still no need to be rude, just a nod and thanks would do.

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10 in reply to Fitat501970]

Agreed!

[Juliet202 Graduate10]

As far as my experience goes there are no rules about left or right - but most runners are flexible and will get out of the way, it seems you came up against one who wants to impose their own rule on everyone else.... I usually follow the person in front of me - if they are on the right I run behind them - if there’s no one in front and I see in the distance someone coming towards me I move to the other side (after checking behind me). I’ve thought a few times it would be good to have wing mirrors and indicators I’m swerving around the park so much !! I also have walkers and bikes and dogs to navigate (today saw a small dog get caught in a cyclist wheels as it jumped up at it while it was moving - ouch !!).

[Fitat501970 Graduate10 in reply to Juliet202]

That could of been nasty! I took more note after she swore and cyclists and other runners seem to keep left like the flow of traffic. Dog walkers not so much perhaps!

[limu_mu Graduate10]

Good question, no rules that am aware off! Have found that runners who want to overtake me run on the road, I tend to run on quiet residential roads without much traffic so the one who can see the cars coming, tends to run on the road

[Fitat501970 Graduate10 in reply to limu_mu]

yes i would move onto the road if the traffic was coming towards me to move out the way