As a runner, I was wondering what your views are on runners in the road.
Where I live, I run mainly on paths, towpaths, trails and tracks, but to get there, or when training for road races, or in the dark, or appalling weather, I do have to run on roads. Most of the roads I run on near me are single track and some are very narrow indeed.
I always, even in bright daylight, have some high vis elements to my clothing, usually long socks, as the movement is easy to spot. At night and in bad weather, I wear high reflective elements also. I never wear headphones due to safety but also because one main reason I run is to be outside, and being outside to me means enjoying the sights and the sounds of nature.
When running on the road, I always keep to the right, to face oncoming traffic, as we were taught as kids. The exception is where the lie of the land or the bend in the road means I can see better, and drivers can see me sooner, if I keep to the left. One example is long right hand sweeps of the road or certain junction types, like crossroads between lanes where I am turning right.
Wherever possible, I try to make eye contact with an oncoming driver. If I am able, I will stop and get into the hedge to let a car pass without pause, or wave a car coming from behind through, if I can see their way is clear.
As of yet, and I have been running hereabouts like this for six years now with no real issues. There are inconsiderate drivers who do come close, don't slow down at all or consider a driver coming the other way and forget about me, but no near death experiences so far.
