There's plenty of blame to go around.
The cop may technically have been right if there was a sidewalk that the runner chose not to run on. Regardless, cops have more important things to do than make sure runners don't run in the street. But if a cop tries to talk to you, don't go batsh!t. Escalating stuff with cops is a game you will lose, at least in the short run.
I can see why the runner's lawyer and the prosecutor thought a misdemeanor plea was the way to go. Cop and runner both end up looking bad if it goes to trial.