Road Running?

[shuffleido]

Are there any rules when running on a road? To date I've run on the treadmill, muddy tracks and paths. The road I'm thinking of it about is 1.5 km long, wide but has no foot path.

All help appreciated.

[Hidden]

Shuffleido this road , alarm bells are ringing here, is it busy? i.e safe because this time of year you're going to want to safe and seen lit up like a Christmas 🎄!!!

[shuffleido Graduate in reply to Hidden]

no, this road is not busy during the day at all. and thats when i use it. I more likely to be run into by a deer or fox! I understand your alarm as occasionally at night you get the boy racers speeding along it.

[Hidden in reply to shuffleido]

Well that's a definite bonus of you running in the daylight, just make sure you're able to be seen and you can hear always a lifesaver shuffleido

[Rennur Graduate in reply to shuffleido]

As long as those boy racers are not on furlough. It only takes one.I would seriously think about staying on a route with pavements especially if this is all new to you. Even if you have to travel to get to a route.

[Madge50 Graduate]

Hi there, same rules as though you were walking, face oncoming traffic....(on the right) ......although I do change sides if there’s a bend in the road that would mean I wouldn’t be seen that well by oncoming traffic........however, I’d be very, very cautious, check it out first, how busy is it? And at what time of day? is there a verge you can step on to if necessary?,

I have run on such a road, in broad daylight, in high vis and still nearly got clipped by a car....trouble was, it was a ‘rat run’ , as with many things people get into a ‘habit’ of using the same route and just don’t ‘see’ you......I haven’t run on that one since.

I have some other routes that do go along very quiet village roads without paths, but tend only to use them in the summer, very early in the morning, and again in bright gear. I definitely wouldn’t attempt it after dark.

I also use aftershokz headphones so that I can hear everything around me....

Hope that helps, take care!

Mx

[nowster Graduate]

Hopefully the road is relatively flat.

Don't forget the Highway Code's advice about roads without pavements. Face oncoming traffic, by running on the right hand side of the road.

gov.uk/guidance/the-highway...

[Cmoi Graduate]

shuffleido, I live in the back of beyond and it's literally impossible for me to run on pavements anywhere near where I live because they simply don't exist. So I run on a mix of country roads (some single track and/or unmetalled), forest paths, and field tracks.

As others have said, you need to run towards traffic, keep close to the edge of the road, see and be seen - so wear bright colours, hi-vis, lights- and be very aware of your surroundings by keping your eyes open and, in particular, listening carefully.

All that said, I love running where I do and cannot imagine having to pound the pavements somewhere where I'd be dodging cars and people all the time.

Happy running!

[Jennyhare]

Running on country roads is fine as long as you're very visible. I wouldn't run at night time though. The right side, facing oncoming traffic is best, except on bends. Sometimes you get two cars heading in the opposite direction and there isn't room for both to pass each other with you in the road. If it's so tight it looks like they have to stop I would get on to verge and wait. But if it just means them slowing down I carry on as normal, which is encouraging drivers not to road hog. Sounds arrogant, but it's important folks can learn to wait, which makes it safer for cyclists and pedestrians as well. I always thank them for doing this. Drivers are very courteous where I live and the roads feel much safer.

[Alvor Graduate]

Run facing oncoming traffic. Wear high viz clothing. No headphones. Keep safe

[Jell6 Graduate]

I run on lanes, mainly single width. Face oncoming traffic, but cross over if approaching a blind bend.Bright colours, and hi vis if light is poor. Hi vis and body lighting if it's dark. I often only wear one earbud if the light is poor, or the weather is bad.

That said, they are my favourite routes, peaceful, lovely scenery, no kerbs😊