Running Etiquette for Beginners

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Update: (April 14, 2022) – I’ve had some requests for clarification and fact-checking on this piece. They are located within the text.

One of the most difficult issues of beginning anything new is learning the rules. All cultures have rules, both written and unwritten. If you’re starting a new job, for example, there are written rules, like the dress code. There are also unwritten rules, like whether people smile and greet each other in the corridors or walk by without a glance.

We commonly refer to these unwritten (and sometimes written) rules as “etiquette.” You’re not exactly doing something wrong if you don’t follow the etiquette of particular situations, but it’s frowned upon. For example, it’s generally accepted that one holds a door open for someone following them into a building or room. It’s not wrong exactly if you don’t do this, but most would consider it bad manners. Having good manners and following etiquette guidelines makes life nicer for everyone, which is why we teach our kids to chew with their mouths closed and replace the toilet paper roll when it’s gone.

I love etiquette books and the history of etiquette. In college, when I was killing time between classes, I would sit in the library and read etiquette books. As an adult, I now have a shelf of etiquette books of my own and can’t resist picking them up in used bookstores. (Emily Post, of course, is the gold standard of etiquette. Emily Post’s Etiquette is always worth owning, whatever edition you come across. And if you’re planning a wedding, I can’t recommend Emily Post’s Wedding Etiquette highly enough.)

I recently learned that the word “etiquettes” is French for “little notes.” Apparently, when Louis XIV held parties at Versailles, guests would tramp all over the gardens and create quite a nuisance. The gardeners put up little notes – etiquettes – to gently remind guests to stay off the grass and out of the flowers and “etiquette” was born. (I learned this from an etiquette podcast I listen to. Yes, an etiquette podcast. It’s hilarious. Check it out – https://www.wereyouraisedbywolves.com/)

Like all other areas of life, sports and activities have etiquette rules. I’ve been thinking lately about running etiquette. I’ve been running more than usual because I’m training for a race at the end of April. I see lots of other runners out too, as the weather gets nicer. It’s made me notice how runners behave toward each other, as well as toward the non-runners around them. I’ve also seen some flagrant breaches of etiquette recently that I wanted to address. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list; rather it’s some common examples interspersed with some of the violations I’ve encountered lately. Newbie runners, hopefully this makes your running activities more pleasurable. Experienced runners, take note – some of you could use a refresher course.

Stay to the right, unless you’re passing

Just like in driving, slower traffic stays in the right lane. If you’re running with a group or in a race and you’re a not-so-speedy runner, keep to the right of the road, sidewalk, trail, whatever you’re running on. This allows faster runners to pass you safely, on the left. This also allows you to slow to a walk if needed or even stop to tie a shoelace (scooting over further to the right for this), without getting in anyone’s way or causing a dangerous pile-up. (Update 4-14-22– the rule applies here to a road or path that is closed to vehicles; for example, when roads are shut down for a race. If you’re running on a road with vehicular traffic, alone or in a group, run facing traffic and stay on the shoulder of the road, as far away from vehicles as you can get.)

And if you start creeping up on the runners in front of you? It’s ok to pass them – on the left – and then once you’re ahead, get back over to the right. (If you’re in a tight spot, like on a trail, it’s good manners to call out “on your left” so the person is aware you’re passing them. Runners tend to get in their zone and tune out what’s going on around them – you’ll scare the bejesus out of someone if you don’t call out.) (Update 4-14-22 – on a road with vehicular traffic, stay to the left and pass on the right when you can do so safely, calling out “on your right” as necessary.)

Multi-use paths have their own etiquette rules

If you’re running on a path or trail that allows running, hiking, biking, horseback riding or any combination of these activities, know your etiquette. If you’re slower, or smaller, it’s your job to yield to that which is faster, or bigger. Hikers and walkers yield to runners and bikers. Runners yield to bikers. Humans yield to horses, regardless of your method of conveyance. (I was running at Knox Farm one time pushing The Child in a stroller and came across a horse pulling a carriage. I had to drag the stroller off the path into the brush, but rules are rules.) (Update 4-14-22 – Hubs and I had a spirited debate about this. He says bikers yield to pedestrians, regardless of location, because bikes are vehicles. I agree that bikes are vehicles and should yield to pedestrians on paved roads and paths. He then produced photographic evidence of signs at a local trail indicating that bikes are supposed to yield to those on foot, so I am forced to concede that he is correct. However – when considering running/hiking vs biking on trails, I still think runners and hikers should yield to bikes. Bikes are faster and harder to stop, especially in tight quarters like single-track trails. There are twists and curves and as a runner, you will likely hear a bike coming and can hop off the trail before the cyclist ever sees you, let alone has an opportunity to slow or stop to avoid you. No matter what the signs say, I don’t want to get run over by a mountain bike, so I will continue to yield to bikers on trails and I recommend you do too. I feel this is a situation where safety trumps etiquette.)

Change your shirt before post-run beers

If you’re running with a group or in a race, it’s considerate for you to change some of your stinky, sweaty clothing before standing around socializing. This is not always possible, depending on race day logistics, but if you can, please do. Running is a stinky sport and it’s not enjoyable to cram up against sweaty bodies at the post-race party. Change your shirt at the back of your car with your hatch open. No one is looking at you. They are all changing their shirts too. (Ladies, you have a sports bra on underneath. It’s perfectly acceptable to strip off your shirt, leave on the sports bra and put a clean shirt over top.) A little deodorant here wouldn’t go amiss either. Some runners even keep baby wipes in their car or bag for a little extra freshening, but that’s optional.

When discussing someone else’s race distance, always be impressed. When discussing your own, always be modest.

You’re a grizzled veteran of marathons or even (gulp) ultramarathons? Doesn’t matter. It’s still your responsibility – as a fellow runner – to display shock and awe when the person next to you shyly mentions they are training for their first 5K or half-marathon. Every distance and every runner deserves respect. There’s plenty of people out there sitting on the couch. Nobody should ever feel like the distance they’re currently running isn’t good enough. And when your latest marathon comes up in conversation? Don’t be a braggart. If everyone is following the etiquette rules, you’ll get your fair share of shock and awe too.

For Pete’s sake, greet other runners

Whether you’re out for your trot around the block or your Saturday long run, you will likely encounter other runners. Parents with strollers. Cross-country running high schoolers. That eighty-year-old woman from down the street who shuffles but is still out there running. The really fast guy from around the corner with his scary calf muscles. The happy dog who runs with his tongue out, his leash attached to his owner’s waist. Wave and say hello to all of them. You are all runners and runners are mostly nice people. Make eye contact, acknowledge their presence and wave. Some runners may not wave back and that’s ok. Some runners tune out their surroundings, so it’s possible they didn’t see you. Don’t let it dull your sparkle. (The high schoolers don’t usually wave back, even if they did see you. They are too cool for that. Wave to them anyway, you’re modeling good behavior.)

Finally, a couple of notes on safety

Run on sidewalks when you can to avoid vehicles. When you must run on the road, always run facing traffic. This gives you an advantage – even if a driver doesn’t see you, you will most likely see them and be able to move out of the way.

Be wary of drivers who are making a turn or backing out of a driveway. Never assume a driver knows you are there unless you have made eye contact with him or her. I cannot stress this enough. This happened to me the other day – I was running along the sidewalk and a driver backed out of a driveway without looking to see if anything was coming, vehicle or pedestrian. Because she had not made eye contact with me, I stopped and waited. After she backed out and finally saw me, she was horrified and made all kinds of “I’m sorry” gestures. I waved back and mouthed, “It’s ok.” It wasn’t ok. She was very negligent, could have hit me and could have caused a serious accident if any other vehicles had been coming. Hopefully she remembers that incident the next time she backs out of her driveway. But if I had reacted angrily, she might have become defensive and been less likely to believe the incident was her fault. In that case, maybe she wouldn’t be more careful next time. So I waved, and said, “It’s ok,” so that maybe next time the next runner or cyclist or pedestrian is safer.

Please use crosswalks, when they are available to you. Again, eye contact is critical here and give the “thank you” wave as you cross.

Dress for visibility. Wear brightly-colored or reflective clothing, even in the daytime. At dawn, dusk and nighttime, consider a reflective or LED vest or harness. If you run with your doggo, make sure he or she has a reflective harness as well.

Like all etiquette, running etiquette makes life a little nicer. Be kind to each other and enjoy running! (Need some motivation to get started? I can help.)

Thanks for being with me on this wellness journey.