Is it disrespectful to run in a cemetery?

In Flanders fields the poppies blowBetween the crosses, row on row,That mark our place; and in the skyThe larks, still bravely singing, flyScarce heard amid the guns below.We are the dead. Short days agoWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,Loved, and were loved, and now we lieIn Flanders fields.Take up our quarrel with the foe:To you from failing hands we throwThe torch; be yours to hold it high.If ye break faith with us who dieWe shall not sleep, though poppies growIn Flanders fields.

sykes wrote:

It's a perfect place for running...

Maybe part of the problem with Arlington is just that funerals are pretty much an every-day activity there?

Running is not allowed in National Cemetary here in the south (where war dead from civil war to present are buried). I got lectured by a national park guard for my lack of respect. And me as a 40ish graying masters runner, I am not usually noticed for my rebellious streak. Too bad too, because the crushed limestone paths are perfect for running.

The only other time I've encountered this problem was running in a National Cemetary for war dead in the 1980's in Moscow, wher I was lectured for my lack of respect.

We had a cross country course in high school that ran through a cemetery.

I just ran a race on Saturday that started and finished in one. The last mile was also in the cemetery. I thought it might be a bit creepy but it wasn't bad at all.

http://www.active.com/page/Event_Details.htm?event_id=1548710&assetId=60e05fb1-59d9-4cef-be4f-c68bef85c856

Cemeteries are disrespectful to the living, they are a waste of perfectly good land.

I find that in NYC, where there are so few green spaces, the cemeteries are larger than most of our parks. Nevertheless, we are not allowed to run there. Maybe I'll give it a try anyway. Although it does seems a bit harder to sneak around a cemetery than a golf course. And I'm not sure I'd want to do traipse around there after dark.

our state xc meet in AL is in oakville indian mounds. most people wouldn't refer to it as a cemetery, but indians are buried there and we do make a loop around a huge indian mound

sykes wrote:

It's a perfect place for running...

If you are sensitive enough to ask, it is not. You would do it in a manner respectful to others.

If your attitude is who gives a crap than most likely you would do it in a manner not respectful.

A couple of points:

1. Most (but not all) cemeteries are private property. They aren't public parks. If the cemetery welcomes hikers, runners, and dog walkers to use its roads and paths, then there isn't an issue. But if the cemetery wants to limit visitors to those who are visiting the dead, it's their right to do so and you shouldn't run there.

2. As other have said, you should not run by funeral services or by people who are visiting a grave site. I would also generally avoid running with a large group of runners through a cemetery.

I've ran in a road race put on by a church where halfway through the race you actually go through the parish cemetary. apparently they don't think it's disrespectful..

I missed "cemetery." The errors are so numerous, I shouldn't be surprised.

A cemetery is the most popular place in town. People are just dying to get in. As long as you don't run over graves and stay on the roads, you are okay.

Spelling Mishaps wrote:

I missed "cemetery." The errors are so numerous, I shouldn't be surprised.

He does it because he is the ultimate troll.

Arlington has signs saying, "No Jogging." I don't know what the penalty is, but I imagine it's because of the fatty tourists.

To me, cemeteries are not very spiritual. If you believe in Heaven, then the people are not there, just bodies that people used--like a suit of clothes that wore out and were discarded.

You can't be cavalier with a person's body, but what passes for "respect" in regards to cemeteries goes way past rediculous.

Most cemeteries have roads 30 feet from graves with cars whizzing past with radios blaring, car exhaust, etc. I don't get it. Once you pass the gates of the cemetery then you've crossed some magical line and must convey "respect?" I don't see how running in a cemetery is any more disrespectful than driving a car into one to visit a tombstone. The rules are very arbitrary.

I'm with songwriter Guy Clark: Spread my ashes in the garden and I'll be Bringing Up Home Grown Tomatoes.

Who decides if it is disrespectful or not? If there is no intended disrespect then who cares really.

What about peeing in the cemetery? Or drinking the water reserved for flowers?

The distance runners were doing the other day on their cool down. I thought it was very disrespectful.