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Guides · 4 min read

Group run etiquette: 12 unwritten rules of running together

Joining a group run or running crew? The unwritten rules: pace, where to run on the path, waiting at junctions, headphones and how to be a good newcomer.

Every running group has rules nobody writes down. Most of them come down to one idea: run so the group stays a group. Here are the twelve that come up most often.

Before the run

  1. Be on time. Groups usually leave at the stated time. If you’re running late, message.
  2. Say if it’s your first time. Whoever’s leading will want to know, and will usually point out the route.
  3. Know the plan. Distance, route and pace. If the group is faster than you, ask whether there’s a shorter loop.

During the run

  1. Run at the group’s pace, not yours. A group run isn’t the day to set a record.
  2. Two abreast at most on shared paths, and move into single file for people coming the other way.
  3. Call out hazards: “bike back”, “step”, “car”. Pass it down the group.
  4. Wait at junctions until everyone has seen which way to turn.
  5. One earbud or none. You need to hear the group and the traffic, and it’s a social run.
  6. Don’t surge to the front then drop off. It strings the group out.

After the run

  1. Make sure everyone’s back before people head off.
  2. Stay for the coffee if there is one. That’s where a group becomes a crew.
  3. Be kind about pace. Everyone was new once.

Between runs

Plenty of crews keep in touch between group runs: a group chat, or a shared feed of everyone’s runs. RunPack does the second for a small crew, privately and free for up to 4 people. See how a crew works. Leading the run yourself? Read how to lead a group run.

Try it with your crewRecord runs with your iPhone and share them with a private crew — runs, routes and photos only your friends can see. Free to start on iPhone.Coming soon to theApp Store

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