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Social Distancing tips for Runners (AKA how not to be an inconsiderate jerk). The number one rule here is that walkers have priority. Always. Having a runner startle you from behind is never fun as a walker but during this crisis it’s so much worse. So, here we go:
1) Stay home. Use your treadmill, stationary bike, yoga mat, whatever.
Mental Health is important tho’ so if you must run outside:
2) Run as early as possible. Crack of dawn if you can. You’ll have the streets to yourself!
3) Run during day if you can — easier to see & be seen.
Mental Health is important tho’ so if you must run outside:
2) Run as early as possible. Crack of dawn if you can. You’ll have the streets to yourself!
3) Run during day if you can — easier to see & be seen.
4) Don’t run when foot traffic is high. If it’s a beautiful sunny afternoon and everyone and their dog is out walking, STAY HOME! Or walk. Don’t go for that run. Just don’t. You’ll just stress everyone out (and yourself too assuming your trying to practice social distancing).
5) DO NOT get in your car and drive to a trail! Everyone else is going to have the same idea. Run in your own neighbourhood if you can. If everyone exercises in their own neighborhood we’ll be more dispersed. Many jurisdictions have closed parks & paths anyway. Respect that.
6) Try to stick to residential streets that have lot of driveways, lawns, and empty streets to allow for distancing. In my neighbourhood commercial streets seem to have less foot traffic but they also tend to lack enough space for social distancing. Residential is best.
7) Be careful near choke points (classic example is a narrow sidewalk between a busy road and the end of a fence between two properties). STOP if you have to to allow walkers to clear this narrow point first. Just stop. Your run is not that important. You can stop for 5 seconds.
8) Run in the smallest unit possible. If you’re out with your partner, running stroller and dog, you’re a large moving target that takes up a lot of space and is difficult to avoid and difficult to maneuver. Run solo whenever possible. Walk the dog later. etc.
9) If approaching someone from the front do whatever you have to do to give space. Cross the street. Run in the road for a second if it’s safe (easier on residential streets). Run in that parking lot on your left. Or just walk up someone’s driveway and STOP. Let them pass first.
10) If approaching someone from behind DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE just blow past them. Ever. Slow down. Announce your presence. Wait for an opportunity to give them space. Or just STOP if you have to and patiently walk around them allowing at least 6 feet of space.
BONUS) Smile and wave and enjoy the feeling you get from not being an inconsiderate jerk and the appreciation you get from others in return. A senior out walking early this morning smiled applauded and said “thank you” when I ran in the street for a second to pass him 
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😁" title="Grinning face with smiling eyes" aria-label="Emoji: Grinning face with smiling eyes">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👋" title="Waving hand" aria-label="Emoji: Waving hand">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🏃" title="Person running" aria-label="Emoji: Person running">
p.s. Another thought from reading the comments… we’re very privileged to still be able to run. Many can’t do their chosen exercise now… playing Hockey, going to CrossFit, Swimming. Appreciate that and be consideratehttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🙏" title="Folded hands" aria-label="Emoji: Folded hands"> And if we are ever told to stop (i.e. lockdown) that’s ok.
