What is appropriate distance to follow another runner?

Was out on a long run today on a popular river front trail. Some guy started tailing me the last 1.5 miles. The only reason I noticed him, was because he like sprinted up out the parking lot and got within like 10m of me at one point. I was really uncomfortable because instead of passing he just got close and then like followed me in step. I picked up the pace for a minute or so and he fell back to around 20-30m, where he stayed until the finish.

I'm not gonna say I've never zoned out and absent mindedly chased my teammates before, but it was kind of unsettling having a random guy latch on when like 98% of people on that trail can't even keep up

This situation should only occur if you're taking a turn and happen to line up exactly with someone else, OR you both get stopped at a stoplight together and are forced to toe-off at the same time.

Usually you (the faster runner) will immediately create allowable separation to avoid the awkward nature of this.

However, when the conditions are met and you find yourself running awkwardly close and at the same pace as another runner, you should either 1) turn and take a different route, 2) turn around and do back/forth strides, or 3) pretend to tie your shoe for a minute until a suitable gap forms.

One must use the same etiquette when choosing seats at a restaurant, or toilets in a public restroom. Simple decorum dictates that you choose the one that puts the most distance between you and others.

No two people run the exact same pace so this really shouldn't be an issue, however, if I find myself running close to the same pace as someone else I'll say something to acknowledge them and invite myself to run with them for as long as we are headed in the same direction.

I'll just ask "how far are you going?" and it's usually not too far ahead before they plan to split off. Depending on the company I'll adjust my route to stay with them or separate from them at a natural break point.

I've engaged in the unspoken race approach at times but I find I'd rather just share a couple of miles if the other runner is genuinely running within 30 seconds per mile +\- of my planned pace.

It's only polite to come up behind and say hello or good morning etc. The more huffed and puffed they are the more calm and less out of breath you should be to be a calming influence on them.

There is maybe 1 person a month when I'm on a casual run/recovery day that will be anywhere near me or faster. I just let them go. That's when I want my "recovery day" t-shirt to let them know.

In the other thread, the fact that the guy was intentionally matching the pace of the other runners is what made it really creepy. At a crowded running spot in an urban area, 5 meters might not be a bad following distance. If someone runs a whole even-paced loop around Central Park 5 meters behind me, I'm probably not going to think anything of it. But if I'm varying my pace significantly and you keep adjusting your own pace to stick right behind me, then it starts to get creepy because it's obvious that you're actually following me and not just randomly running the same direction at the same pace.

Really no different from walking down the sidewalk. Someone can walk right behind you for a time without being creepy, but if you stop to look in a shop window and the follower stops too, then it gets weird in a hurry.

follower wrote:

Really no different from walking down the sidewalk.

Nah I think both the speed of the person behind you and how audible their footsteps are play into how irritating it is. Just like on a bike if you have a car on your back wheel for an extended period of time, or if you're walking in public and someone is aggressively walking right at your back as if they're going to bump into you or pass you at any moment.

When someone feels as if they're rearing down on you then you want them to either pass or back off so that you're not put in a spot where you're focusing on whether the person behind you is going to bump into you.

On the extremely rare (this has occurred a couple of times on my long runs) I ask "do you mind if I run with you for a bit" ? I've never had anybody refuse. I never otherwise "sit" on a stranger. If we are running the same pace, I give them about a 25m lead or pick it up and pass them. Women can be especially touchy about this, best to avoid complications and leave well enough alone. I have used cyclists as pacers (who seem to be a tad more accommodating) without incident.

I'm so glad this thread was made. Listen to what happened to me on this past Saturday morning: I came into town for the long labor day weekend and met up with an old running buddy for a long run. As we were finishing up, we were going over this bridge and were about to pass this older guy (40-45yrs old?) and he sped up a little. We were cruising pretty good, so we got by him pretty easily, but then he sped up even more and stayed a rude 5 meters behind us for a while. It was really weird and my friend and I both got a little worried this was some weirdo that was capable of anything. We sped up a little to get rid of this creep and sure enough he came picked it up with us. We took a left after we crossed the bridge and he took one too. Once we got back to our cars, my friend called it a day at 18 miles and I decided to add on another couple easy miles to hit 20. I took another left to head towards a nice plush trail that goes around an island in the middle of the city and sure enough this old man follows me. At that point, I basically come to a stop and let him pass because I don't want to go on to this less populated island with some weirdo following me. He passes me and I make a couple remarks to let him know what he did was not cool and he starts shouting his PRs at me, which were probably from 20 years ago. His PRs were pretty good and he's not some hobby jogger, but on this day he definitely acted like one. I continued onto the island, he took a right, I made a left, saw that he was out of view and then got the hell out of there and added on somewhere else.

A few years back I was during some tempo runs with some slower intervals between the faster runs. On my last set, during my slower phase, a guy gradually closes and passes me and then creates a bit a of distance between. So then it was time to kick into the faster tempo run and I gradually closed on the guy till I passed him right before the parking lot before the finish.

It looked like I was trying to beat him to the finish. I felt I owed him an explanation about the tempo runs. We had a good laugh about it. He said he wouldn't have been bothered even if I did pass him on purpose.

If I'm passed on a training run, even if I'm during a slow recovery run, I often a joke to the person passing me and say something like, "hey, you making me look bad"

Its usually well received with a laugh or smile" Life is short people, don't sweat the small stuff.

yeah, hobby cyclists are pretty well aware of their physical limitations. While running, I often pass cyclists going up hills - most of the time they laugh at themselves and make a joke about how badly out of shape they are....

Anybody ever experienced the gallowalker who suddenly decides to run the second you are about to pass them? Usually I end up passing them quickly, but it's awkward.

The other one that annoys me is the person who walks on the trail and decides to start their run a few feet in front of you, just as you are about to go by. To me it should be common courtesy to wait until you go by before you start your run, but for some reason certain joggers don't understand that.

If your wiener is touching their buns...seems about right!

I guess I'm just not bothered by this. Maybe it's the cycling background.

I don't find it wierd, creepy, or unpleasant if someone sits on me even if I'm changing paces. Maybe if they sat 1m back like in a track race...but nobodies ever done that.

Only thing I don't like is if the ey person is panting real hard behind me, so I guess I'd say 10m for this question. Far enough back I can't hear you and don't feel as if you're breathing down my back.

similar wrote:

There is maybe 1 person a month when I'm on a casual run/recovery day that will be anywhere near me or faster. I just let them go. That's when I want my "recovery day" t-shirt to let them know.

Philly runner here. Nobody can keep up with me, recovery day or not (soon sub-3 runner!).

MikRo wrote:

similar wrote:

There is maybe 1 person a month when I'm on a casual run/recovery day that will be anywhere near me or faster. I just let them go. That's when I want my "recovery day" t-shirt to let them know.

Philly runner here. Nobody can keep up with me, recovery day or not (soon sub-3 runner!).

That's certainly nothing to be ashamed about, a sub-3 half mile. You go girl!

Miles David wrote:

That's certainly nothing to be ashamed about, a sub-3 half mile. You go girl!

Dude, I am too old for sack races. I meant the full mary!

lol

Sorry man, mistook you for a hat

What is proper ought be inherent and self explanatory.

Would you want someone to pass you on your run? No.

A faster runner approaching another should first avoid passing at all costs even if it means diversion from the situation. Do wide passes as a last resort.

Do you like cars in your rearview? No

If in an oval facility use wide passes as a courteous rule. Don't tail the runner like annoying drivers on the road do. Respect his or her motivation to be out there running. He or she should not be so close that they can hear your footsteps. Allowing for 50 meters or more should be sufficient.