UK male joggers warned over approaching women from behind

Why not get a concealed carry permit?

I just run on my way and don't say a word. If they aren't wearing headphones and it's not dark out and we are on a somewhat lonely path I'll either cough and/or do a shuffle step to make noise with my feet. Otherwise I just run by and don't give it a second thought.

I run on an isolated wooded bike path that gets a cross section of users -- speed demons on bikes, earbud-wearing walkers, slower runners that I overtake, oblivious people walking or running two abreast across the path, friendly and cooperative people, etc. I ALWAYS utter, in a non-threatening voice, "Runner approaching" or "Coming by" far enough back, where those without earbuds can hear me. 99% of them move over, even sometimes off of the path, until I've run past. I usually say something self-depricating, as well, to keep the moment friendly and light.

Occasionally I'll get a non-cooperative person, or someone who's either lost in the ozone or who can't hear me over the blaring noise of his or her Ipod or other device. I have yelled (friendly voice) up to three times, as I approach someone who isn't responding. Sometimes there is eventually a reasonable reaction. If I see that the person doesn't have any ear obstructions and still doesn't respond, only then do I sort of change the tone of my voice to show my displeasure. Maybe the next runner or biker or walker will then benefit.

I run tangents, which means that sometimes I must run on the left, where the bikers, walkers, and runners approaching tend to be found. This means that I am responsible for getting out of the way, if necessary. VERY simple.

If someone on a bike whizzes on past, without warning, I speak up and request a little noise the next time. I've been lucky not to have independently moved over and collided, not knowing the biker is approaching. Once, in Boston, I did collide with a bike, without injury to either of us, but I don't care for it to happen a second time.

Keeping things friendly can make a difference for future runs, and that includes my interactions with people out walking their dogs on leashes. If I'm perceived as a mean-spirited or arrogant runner one day, the next day the same person might purposely be a pest, but to keep it as friendly as possible generally works -- especially if a dog is involved.

And I would much rather recognize a familiar face and respond with a "Hi" than with a curse.

Exactly. It's a shame that switches are illegal. They'd provide ample firepower to ward off any assailant.

I understand what you are saying about women being targets of dangerous men, but we are talking about actual runners with no intent of hurting anyone. A real predator is not going to alert you. If anything, they'll try to trick you to make you feel at ease and lower your guard.

When I'm on a bike passing people, I do say "on your left", because a bike rider is traveling faster and approaches quieter than a runner, for whom you'd hear their foot falls some time before they pass.

The guy in the OP's story is talking about passing people on a canal trail. When I'm running a trails like that, if there is room to pass, I simply pass. If they are in my way, I say "excuse me" and pass when they clear space. If there's already space, there's no need to say anything. I simply pass. I've never seen anyone get scared when in do. It's just not necessary to make running in a park more complicated than the simple process it is. Courtesy and etiquette is important, but shouting out at every women I pass is weird and completely unnecessary.

I will announce "on your left" when passing anyone. Man, woman, group. It seems curious and keeps them from being startled and maybe jumping into me.

I’m behind you” is the two-word phrase to use to mean the three-word phrase “I suck at counting”.

because an unfamiliar, strained, panting, male voice yelling “I’m behind you” isn’t going to creep a woman out at all.

Yeah, I think that's weird. "On your left" is fine if you're close enough to startle.

I wonder what the unintended consequences will be of the endless messaging - that young men and boys experience - that goes something like this:

You are seen as a potential predator, and therefore, you must at all times be aware of your ability to scare people with your presence alone.

I don't now how well it ever works out when you incessantly treat people like monsters.

Yes! I remember that from high school days in the 80s. Do people still say that?

I typically pass without saying anything if I’ve got a clear way through and apologize if they yelp. But what annoys me is when people walking in one direction on a narrow path spread out making it impossible to pass. For that, I call out out “beep beep!” It’s so dorky, even if it’s a lone woman, the mild humor usually defuses any tension or fear, and we can all go on with our outdoor enjoyment.

I run in Nike tempos, you can hear them from 400 meters away...click clack click clack...if she don't hear that it means she has head phones in, and I don't need to say jack...yo

They still use it for Nordic races.

Abundantly clear! This thread maybe more than any other, really captures the mentality of the guys who post on here. Pathetic.

Yes. Yes. So much YES.

I yell from a distance "Coming UP!" Then I repeat it. Then I pass them. Then they jump and look at me like I'm in the wrong, while their earphones blare away.

It is so frustrating to see so many people do so little to protect themselves by being aware of their surroundings.

If they hear me and jump to the side, I always say "Thank you, just didn't want to scare you... have a great day/evening..."

My experience has been the opposite. When people hear "on your left," they think that means they should move to their left...and directly into you.

Really, though, it doesn't matter what you say. Everyone's either wearing headphones or staring at a cell phone and are totally oblivious to their surroundings. I just go way, way, way around people.

Well, 90%+ of prisoners are men. But the above messaging is almost non-existent.

Already so tired of the new narrative that we have to coddle men and boys.

Personally, I don’t care if a man or woman is behind me when I jog. I just find it irritating. Just pass me instead of linger.

American moment.