I’m the best runner in my town. People constantly come up to me in stores saying “I see you running. You’re amazing”.

Wear a disguise?

Try this phrase - “F*ck Off”

Nobody is saying that.

Sorry can't help you. No one has ever said that to me. Nor would they. :(

Honestly, unless you live in Boulder, Flagstaff or anywhere that is a mecca for endurance athletes if you are a serious and fast runner you will stand out in most towns.

Maybe wear pants?

If people want to pay you an earnest compliment, then this is a great opportunity to shoe some grace and humility and accept the compliment. You can't control other people, after all, and, to them, you might as well be an Olympian.

If I had 250k for every time I have heard, "26 miles!!!! I can't *drive* 26 miles..." I'd be a millionaire. Many of these people drove more than 26 miles to deliver the news.

I'm the only runner in this town. Have to be careful with the 10 plus lose dogs.

Run less? Dress like a thug?

It's a skill to take compliments gracefully. Master it. Will be helpful down the line

I have seen top elites in stores and nobody knows who they hell they are. They see them and think "oh there's someone skinny. Maybe they can't afford food"

Half the US population doesn't even know running is a sport, they think of it as a punishment

Did they have tears in their eyes and call you "Sir"?

HUMBLE BRAG!!

Say a polite thanks and keep moving. Its really not a big deal.

....likewise. I have no experience with this particular complaint.

I had a woman once tell me that she saw me running and wasn't used to seeing me with clothes on. Weird.