Coronado's Most Read Newspaper & Community Website

New Trend: Is Jogging in the Middle of the Street Okay?

This week, a concerned eCoronado member wrote in:

“I had an interesting experience this morning and thought it might be an interesting item for an article or a little investigation. As I drove to drop the kids off at before care this morning, there was woman running down the middle of the road on 6th St. From several blocks away, it looked like she was just taking a long time to cross the road. As I got closer, she stayed directly in the middle of the road and did not move as cars came by. She was not running straight, but weaving as she ran. As I passed her, I slowed down. I asked her if everything was all right. She said yes. I then asked if she realized she was in the middle of the road. She looked at me like I was the completely crazy one in this conversation and simply replied that the middle of the road was flat.

After a few conversations, I have heard other people are as starting to see this trend.

As someone who has taken up running again, I love running on Coronado. However, I will not be running down the middle of the road.”

I just thought it was an interesting event and wanted to know if it was a one time event, if it is against Coronoado City rules, or if people are going to start running down the middle of the road, I will now keep an eye out for runners (in the middle of the road) as well as the teenagers talking on their cell phones while riding their bikes.

The Road Runners Club of America's Etiquette for Runners states- Don't run down the middle of the road or trail.

We love Coronado and especially eCoronado.com, but there are odd folks everywhere.”

According to Coronado laws, running in the middle of the street isn’t something that can be cited, but running between traffic can increase the danger of getting hit by a car.

The Road Runners Club of America’s Etiquette for Runners also includes the following rules:

Run against traffic if running on the road. If running on the sidewalk or multi-use trails, travel on the right and pass on the left.
Never run more than two abreast if you are running in a group. Don’t be a road or trail hog.
Don’t run down the middle of the road or trail.
If you are running an out-and-back route, don’t just make a sudden u-turn at your turn around point. Stop, step to the right to allow oncoming traffic the opportunity to pass. Ensure the road or trail is clear of oncoming traffic (runners, cyclists, in-line skaters, etc.) then make your u-turn. Making a sudden u-turn without looking over your shoulder is a good way to get hit.
Alert pedestrians when you are passing them – don’t assume they are aware of their surroundings. A simple “on your left” warning will suffice.
Be alert on blind curves.
Stop at stop signs and ensure oncoming traffic yields to you before proceeding across a road. Don’t assume cars will stop if you are entering a cross walk.
Respect private property along your route. Don’t relieve yourself in the neighbor’s bushes.
Don’t litter. If you can’t find a trash can, carry your trash home.

Ultimately, Coronado has many running pathways down the strand and near the beach, which are flat and much safer to use than the middle of the street, especially with the busy summer months ahead. So next time you lace up your running shoes, head for one of our safer destinations.

When heading out for a run, make sure to stay in safer areas, especially when wearing headphones.

Have something to say about this article? Comment below!

_____________

Marie Balfour

Online Editorial Intern

eCoronado.com

Have a Coronado news item you would like to share? Email me at mkbal4@yahoo.com.

Tags: community, people

0 members like this

Comment by Angie on April 15, 2012 at 7:17pm: I had worked for a chiropractor that said to never run on the sidewalks because they are concrete and concrete doesn't "give" therefore being hard on your joints and back. He always said to run on the road, but I never heard of running in the middle of the road.....

Comment by Madison W. on April 15, 2012 at 8:57pm: The middle of the road is definitely flat as the sides are sloped to allow rainwater to flow away from the middle.

Comment by Erin Greene on April 16, 2012 at 9:34am: Well, I probably wouldn't do it, but the slope on the side of the road isn't the greatest for your biomechanics and can really mess up your hips, ankles and knees. I do understand and feel her reasoning behind it, but to do it on an open road? Probably not the smartest thing to do.

Comment by John W Chalus on April 16, 2012 at 10:08am: I live in a more rural area and run in the middle of the road. I only do this when there is little or no traffic. I don't do it on highways or in the middle of town. The reason I do it is because it is more comfortable. Running on concrete is just a really bad idea. Running on the side of the road throws the body out alignment. The middle of the road is either flat or the slope is equal on either side of the center-line.

Comment by Peggy McCloskey on April 16, 2012 at 10:36am: I would add that drivers should be alert to joggers and bicyclists who are in the road in the dark without reflective clothing or lights (the latter a state requirement for cyclists.) I am a cyclist and used to be a marathon runner, and I try to keep in mind the law of gross tonnage--that car is going to win if you and it meet!

Staff Comment by Kellee Hearther on April 16, 2012 at 11:28am: Thanks for posting this Marie. I enjoyed reading the Roadrunner's Etiquette. I haven't yet encountered someone running down the middle of the road, but I'll keep on the lookout.

Comment by MIKE GAPP on April 16, 2012 at 11:31am: I hope someone doesn't suggest putting up another sign....

I've seen enough local ordinance signs to think they were made the Official Coronado Tree or something... it's enough to make ya miss good manners....

I gotta tell ya that I have to chuckle though; - it seems like we will see unintended consequences from folks taking advantage of the flat, "forgiving" center of the road to save their knees, when they get repetitive stress injuries to their cervical spines form constantly looking left, right, and behind them for silent electric cars....

The first hybrid car that they don't hear is going to tip this issue.

I'll miss real trees....

Mike Gapp

Comment by Tonia Accetta on April 16, 2012 at 12:31pm: It's a stupid and dangerous idea. They could just buy a treadmill and stay safe at home.

Comment by Lynnda Shepherd on April 16, 2012 at 12:48pm: Driving in Coronado is definitely not for wussies.. that's for sure. Between all the pedestrians crossing wherever they want... skateboarders in the middle of the street.. bicycles flying out from alleys, those rented multi person bikes riding in the middle of Orange or down Ocean OR on the sidewalks which puts the pedestrians on the streets along with joggers in the middle of the road - you need to stay on your toes!

Comment by Lenny Perry on April 16, 2012 at 4:34pm: I am an early runner (530am) and 6th street is one of the few streets lit. I have seen many persons running in the middle street which I think is due to the lack of lighting and the multitude of sprinklers and puddles on the sidewalks. I also like the previous comment regarding the levelness and forgiving surface at the center of the road. Although there are not many cars on the road that early.

Comment (keep it clean & on topic)