Running etiquette question

[Anonymous]

I was running on the Mt. Vernon trail this morning. If you're familiar with the trail, it's well traveled, with lots of runners, cyclists, and walkers - especially on the weekend. It's maybe 5' wide or so, with marks down the middle noting lanes for direction.

Ahead of me were a group of 3 joggers, all running side by side, with the 3rd person well into to lane in the other direction. I'm coming up behind them (running) and looking for an opportunity to pass, as they were going pretty slow. I wait for the clear of oncoming cyclist/running traffic, and look behind me to make sure no one's coming up fast from behind me as well, and make a quick gun to pass the group of 3, and try to ease quickly into staying on the right side of the trail (obviously in front of them). I hear one of them say "that's rude" but ignore them, and continue running.

Was I rude? Was I supposed to alert them somehow? I made sure it was clear, but it was difficult to pass them, since the 3 people were running next to each other and taking up 3/4 of the trail.

What's the etiquette for these kinds of situations??

[Anonymous]

I usually say "on your left" as I am about to pass so that I don't startle another runner.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you were okay and they were the rude ones.

[Anonymous]

The custom is to say "On you left" after which they'll usually move to the right and let you pass.

[Anonymous]

It's not rude. But..I say "on your left".

[Anonymous]

Hmm. Thanks. I'll try and start alerting people. I thought "on your left" was a cyclist thing (which I appreciate). I'm kind of a mid-speed runner, so people pass me sometimes and it doesn't bother me when they pass, and rarely give some kind of notification.

I may have passed them somewhat abruptly, but you kind of have to on a busy day, when they're blocking 3/4 of the width.

[Anonymous]

It wasn't rude and, yes, "on your left" us usually used by cyclists, but you can try.

Maybe carry a little bicycle bell?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtv2_-2mHck

[Anonymous]

Yes, on your left works. They were rude by taking up a lane and a half.

[Anonymous]

"On your left" or "Runner back"

They were rude to run three across.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, on your left works. They were rude by taking up a lane and a half.

+1

I sometimes say on your left, but only because I usually run with the double jogger, so it takes up room. They were definitely the rude ones, OP.

[Anonymous]

I've trained for 5 marathons on many of the local trails over the past 8 years and don't think it is common for runners to say 'on your left'. I'm a slow poke so lots of people have passed me over the years. I think its fine and courteous, but I wouldn't expect it and probably would only say it if the person I needed to pass was swerving left and not running straight.

They were rude for running 3 abreast. On a lightly travelled trail people can do it, but it's the responsibility of the outside person to be aware of their front and behind. On a heavily travelled route that isn't wide enough to do 4 abreast, then they should've staggered.

[Anonymous]

No you were fine. They were the rude ones. Bet they were yapping up a storm and stopping traffic all the way.

[Anonymous]

You probably startled them. I say "on your left" if it looks like a busy trail day. You never know when people will decide to turn around or stop and you don't want to crash into them. I saw a bad crash on the CC when a runner turned around at the bottom of the River road bridge and another runner coming right behind crashed into her. The person behind was a man and was about to pass so when she turned around he plowed right into her. That said, I don't say that when there's clearly nobody else coming or going in either direction. Sounds like the other runners were just surprised and decided to be snarky instead of nice about it.

[Anonymous]

You were fine OP.

They were rude for being 3 across on a trail like that.

I run, and I usually will say "On your left" or even just "Good morning" if I will be passing someone, mostly just to not startle them when I pass by--but I don't think it's necessarily rude not too.

[Anonymous]

I ran on a similar trail in college and "on your left" or just "left" was common for runners to use. It's still habit now, unless I'm running on a sidewalk and then I just yell "behind" if the person isn't dressed as a runner.