Strangers who try to “race” you during a run: How often does this happen to you?

I'm an above average HS runner (sub 16, sub 9:20). My team often runs together on easy runs, so nothing happens then.

On occasion, I've had a few hobby joggers try to pick it up and prevent me from passing, but I try to break them if that happens. I'll be comfortable at about 6:20, and I stay relatively comfortable until about 10k-ish pace which is about 5:20 for me. So, I'll pick it up by about 5-10 seconds per mile every ~45 seconds or so, so they'll have to pick it up as well. Then, when they're exhausted, I'll run by them and they'll have to hobble back to their cars.

Learn to fart on demand.

I think you people are weird. This does happen but it’s almost exclusively a positive experience. I don’t get a chance to run with fast folks very often so it’s kind of fun when it happens. Usually when we inevitably go out separate ways I give them a friendly wave.

OP, I agree with you. I have no idea why this happens but it happens to me quite often. I don't train that fast on easy days (but that's for another thread).

I'll be running 7:00-7:30, pass someone, then I hear footsteps and breathing behind me for quite awhile. Usually I ignore it but sometimes turn around and the said person says something like "mind if I tag along" and I end up running with older dudes, at least twice a month on the trails and often once a week. It's always older dudes.

When I get passed, I give people the courtesy to pass me in peace and I maintain the same pace so as not to bug them, because it is quite annoying.

this actually rarely happens for me. i think sometimes folks might think you're "racing" too if you're doing a workout or some sort of intervals.

sometimes other folks' actions are not all because of you. i've definitely seen three folks pick it up sometimes but it's been like once or twice over the last three years.

This seems to happen way more often Cycling (probably due to catching a draft). Rarely happens running. What’s most fun is a e-biker thinking they’re hot sh!t until they see me right behind them and they can’t shake me.

I find that the opposite happens to me. I'll be doing a tempo run, and once in a while, I'd hear the sound of footsteps approaching, which usually comes from some other runner behind.

I'll speed up to hold him/her off, and when I don't think I can maintain that pace for much longer, I'll throw in a final surge and then make a U-turn. Annoys the crap out of me, though. Not only is it an ego-bruiser, especially if it's a woman or a middle-aged dude, but that tempo run has now lost much of its original purpose.

For perspective, I ran a sub 18 5K a few weeks ago.

It happens to me occasionally, and I'm the random 60+ year old guy they are trying to "race". I try not to have quite the condescending attitude that you do to people who are slower than I am. Laugh it off and be thankful you can run that fast.

I only experience this if I am running up from behind another runner. Sometimes I can tell that they know a runner is behind them and they pick it up a little bit… it’s obvious because I suddenly am catching up slower than I had been.

I’m not fast and I only ever see this if I’m running 7:30 pace or faster it seems. No one ever ‘races’ me, they just pick it up a bit.

The worst is when this happens accidentally in reverse - I'll be finishing up an easy/recovery stretch and some jogger will pass me right before its time to start another interval. Then I blow past them again a minute later likely coming across as a huge doofus.

A Golf GTI tried to overtake me today.
I did a "pedal to the medal" in my 911 and was able to hold him off :)

I'm pushing 70 but can still go 22-23 for 5 k. . Love to go to Central Park and wait for a couple young 25-30 year old women run by then jump in behind them about 5 yards back. Always a great work out.

That sounds annoying. It never happens to me. Even on my easy days I run too fast for anyone to dare try to hang with me.

I’ve had this happen to me .

One time running I noticed a guy on the other side of the street on the sidewalk running the exact same pace as me. This went n for about 800 meters , finally I took the next left to stop it.

I live in a rural area so this isn’t an issue, but is sounds really annoying. I’m surprised by the negative ratio of votes on the OP. Maybe it’s a personality thing. I would be very uncomfortable if a random person tried running with me. At least if they didn’t strike up and conversation to be friendly. I’d probably try to break the person or stop to retie a shoe so I wouldn’t have to run next to a random person.

When this happens, I usually slow down and let them pass me, then let them exhaust themselves trying to extend/maintain the lead. Once this happens I resume my pace and blow past them, making sure they notice I am not breathing hard.

Happened to me, too. I kept seeing his reflection in every car and store window.

He looked awful, for what that's worth. Poor guy, letting himself get like that. Feel sorry for him.

Is it time for another "hobby joggers racing each other on training runs" thread already?