Chris Feb 22, 2009
An interesting thing about running is that there is no license or joining fee to participate. I mean, we pay for entries into races, but anyone can become a runner at any time, and there are no lessons required or special instructions needed. This means every day there are people joining our sport who have not been filled in on the "rules" of being a runner. Waving at other runners is no different than waving or nodding at fellow pedestrians on the sidewalk - some people are naturally friendly and will always exchange such greetings; some people are naturally, well, whatever they are. An interesting parallel is the "Jeep Wave" shared by Wrangler owners. This is a tradition going back decades, but there is nothing in the owner's manual (not that anyone reads those anyway) to inform jeepers to wave or flash a peace sign at each other. Those who buy their first Wrangler eventually get waved at enough that they catch on and start initiating the wave themselves. Such it is with the new runner. If we continue to wave at them as they pass by, they will eventually return the wave and even wave first when they get the chance, unless they are that second type of person. If they are, just look for opportunities to beat them in a race - that ought to make you feel better!
Deb Feb 18, 2009
The non-wavers are perplexing indeed. Come on people...we runners share a special bond. Return the friendly waves, especially when you looked right at the waver. Not waving to a fellow runner is as bad as calling yourself a "jogger" or referring to your running shoes as "tennis shoes".
Silent Runner Feb 14, 2009
In response to bullpenn, -- there may be a reason why people don't respond to your greetings, other than they are not "REAL" runners. They may be having a bad day and want to be alone with their thoughts; or they are enjoying the sounds and sights of nature and almost resent your intrusion.
I say give them some slack and consider your 70% response rate as a very good batting average. 
bullpenn Feb 13, 2009
Enjoyed Ed Hardee's Runners Hi column on waving at fellow runners as they pass on the other side of the road. I am both a waver and a talker...giving the upward right-hand side-to-side waggle and following it with a "how's it going" ? Oftentimes I'm talking to test myself to see if I'm running at a "conversational pace". I'd say I have about a 70% response rate on return waves, and 30% on verbal responses. I just chalk up the non-wavers to rookie runners who've yet to join the "REAL" running ranks, and the non-verbals to those running outside their conversational pace. I say, come-on runners, we're in this thing together, a wave is a recognition of a fellow sportsman....like congratulating your playing partner in golf for a "good putt".
So, what do the rest of you think ?