Runner’s Wave: The Non-Official Runner Greeting
The “Runner’s Wave”. It’s more than just an acknowledgement between two like-minded runners on the road.
The Runner’s Wave is also a sign of respect, of camaraderie, and of kinship; that you’re both members of an exclusive club. A exclusive, sweaty club — but a club nonetheless.
At its heart, though, the Runner’s Wave is a greeting to your compatriots. And, there are a hundred ways to give it.
When I’m out running, though, I find myself using one of five variations on the Runner’s Wave. Each works, and I rotate freely among them, depending on the run and how I’m feeling.
I’ll also consider the person to whom I’m waving and the circumstance.
Here are the five Runner’s Waves in my arsenal.
The Basic Wave
The Basic Wave is the standard runner greeting. It’s a little bit boisterous but, then again, so are most runners.
The Basic Wave is the equivalent of a very loud “Hello!” Lift your arm to a right angle, even with your shoulder.
Spread your fingers slightly and make eye contact with your fellow running cohort.
Beginning runners often gravitate to the Basic Wave because it’s easily recognizable. It’s also exceedingly friendly.
However, executing on the Basic Wave requires a lot of physical energy. Therefore, it may not be suitable for hard training run and race days.
The Hip Wave
The Hip Wave is more subtle than the Basic Wave, and is the wave-type you’ll see most often between runners of a certain caliber. It’s quick, it’s subtle, and it sends a slightly different message than other runner’s wave.
With the Hip Wave, you’re saying, “I see you, and I’m saying ‘hello’, but this workout is a tough one and I’m in my own zone.”
To execute on the Hip Wave, keep your arms low and near to your body, as you would while you run. Then, as a runner approaches, using your inside hand, quickly flick your wrist upward.
You can hold your hand up for a few seconds or not — it’s up to you.
However, because the Hip Wave is a subtle one, be sure you don’t execute too early or too late, or your running peer might miss it entirely.
The Thumbs-Up Wave
The Thumbs-Up Wave is probably the most special of all the Runner’s Waves. It’s often seen between runners of vastly different abilities, as one runner shows respect to the other.
When a runner gives the Thumbs-Up Wave, it’s a way of saying, “I see what you’re doing, and I think you’re awesome.”
For example, when I see a runner really tearing up the pavement, I give a thumbs-up to acknowledge the skill, the speed, and the form. I also give the thumbs-up when I see an obviously-beginner runner pushing their physical limits and working super-hard.
I have respect for that.
To execute on the Thumbs-Up Wave, keep your arms low and near to your body, as you would while your run.
Then, as a runner approaches, using your inside hand, give the “thumbs up”. You can raise your arm slightly to make sure your signal is spotted.
The Thumbs-Up Wave is worth the hundred words you don’t have time to speak while on the trail.
The Head Nod Wave
The Head Nod Wave is probably my favorite — maybe because I’m a dude.
The Head Nod Wave is laid-back and allows me to say hello without getting my arms out of sync, or worrying about messing with my form.
If you’ve never seen a Head Nod Wave on the road, think of two guys saying hello to each other from across a room with their heads.
It’s a slight lift of the chin and just a hint of direct eye-to-eye contact. Now, imagine that between two runners and you’ve got it.
The Head Nod Wave is the runner’s equivalent of “What’s up?”
The Head Nod Wave can also be appropriate after you’ve passed a runner several times during a run and don’t want to keep on with the Basic Wave or the Hip Wave.
Using the Head Nod Wave acknowledges the other runner without all the effort of using your arms.
The Smile Wave
The Smile Wave is similar to the Head Nod Wave, except it’s used for a different audience.
For example, I reserve the Smile Wave for very young runners and for those who are obviously much older than me. It’s a reflection of my true happiness of the situation.
The Smile Wave is also flexible in that you can accompany it with a “Hi!” or “Good morning!” or something similar.
The Smile Wave the friendliest of all the Runner’s Wave types.
Not Everyone Will Wave At You
I don’t always wave when I run — especially when I’m in the middle of a tough workout. I can be in such a zone that I don’t even make eye contact with my fellow runners.
When I’m pushing, I am sure that I fail to reciprocate on Runner’s Waves and that’s okay. I know that not everyone’s going to return a wave on every pace of a run — especially on days when the trails are busy. It can be tiring to wave to the world.
Therefore, don’t worry if your waves go unreturned. That will happen sometimes. Just remember that you’re not waving to getting a response — you’re waving to say “hello”.