Cemeteries and Running?

[WindingRoad]

I swear I didn't intentionally time this at the end of October but was curious if any of you ever run in cemeteries. Is it appropriate? I have a huge cemetery near my apartment and it seems like it would be a great place to run. Ideas?

[jessmarimba]

I just saw a little bit in Runners World on some very old man whose daily run is in a cemetery. But I think I would feel awkward if anyone saw me doing running there.

[indysteel]

I've never run through one, but I've ridden my bike. I used to do hill repeats in Crown Hill, WR. I suppose I felt less weird about it because Crown Hill attracts a fair number of tourists.

[KnottedYet]

I run or walk or ride through one or another cemetery near me just about every day.

While my Dad is not buried in either cemetery, I always "talk" to him a bit when I go through. I find cemeteries to be very peaceful and soothing places and always have, and it feels good to go through the cemetery and put the trials and tribulations of my day into perspective. There is a section of massed Spanish Flu victims from a century ago in one cemetery, which always touches me. Though I don't work with infectious diseases, my mom did a lot of historical research on social effects of Spanish Flu; so it feels important to me to acknowledge those small, generic, cheap, massed gravestones every time.

I'm always very careful to avoid mourners. When there is an internment going on, I stay out of the cemetery entirely.

Often there are other people going through, and I've noticed that as a whole they are also generally very respectful.

Cemeteries are sacred spaces, never forget that as you go through. I see no problem running through the one near your apartment as long as you are respectful. (and say a little prayer if you are so inclined)

[Cataboo]

people run and walk through the one that I have family members in - it doesn't bother me. It's a pretty urban area and it's probably safer running through the cemetery than out on the roads...

the dog walkers who walk their dogs through the cemetery or let themrun loose and don't pick up after their dogs, I mind. (Those that keep their dogs leashed and pick up after their dogs, they're okay)

[lph]

I don't know about running, but I noticed by chance that one cemetery on my bike commute has a "no biking" sign on the gate. I had never thought about it (nor considered riding through there), but I can understand that any mourners or visitors would not appreciate yellow-clad bike commuters zipping through there at full blast.

If there are no signs about it, I'm guessing that moving through with respect and in accordance with the dignity of the place is fine.

I love walking through strange cemeteries, they're filled with so much history.

[WindingRoad]

Mary Ann - I am quite familiar with Crown Hill I used to do my hill repeats there a lot This 'new' cemetery by my house if huge, historic and beautiful too. I have to say being on the East Coast has really been interesting from a historical perspective which has made what little riding I have been able to do well worth it, running too. I will check the new one out and look to see if they have signs up. As someone with native beliefs I do understand sacred places quite well. In my own beliefs as long as one is respectful of the space then I wouldn't have a problem running or biking there. Of course that's IMO. There seems to be a gatehouse at this cemetery so maybe I'll just stop in and ask them I definitely don't want to upset anyone.

[zoom-zoom]

The running board I frequent had a long thread about this very topic a few years back. Seems there is really no consensus and depends a lot upon the region or specific cemetery.

[Crankin]

A woman in town who runs a historically oriented bike tour business has one tour that goes through Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. It's a famous place, with all of those well known Transcendentalists and authors buried there. I ride by there, on the road, and have often wondered about going in there on my hybrid, because of the well maintained paths. I have seen runners in there, too. Since it dates from the 1600s, there's not a lot of burials going on there now.
I wouldn't mind people riding or running through the place where my mom is buried, but it's paved roads, as opposed to hard packed dirt.

[kaybee]

I run through a cemetery with my running group regularly, usually at 5:30 a.m., although sometimes our Saturday morning runs take us through there a little later. Since we run so early, funerals are never a problem. It's common in our community for people to walk or run through the cemetery.
KB

[Cataboo]

I stopped by our cemetary this weekend and made sure to check at the entrance for signs - There was a sign saying that it is private sacred ground, to please treat it with respect, and no athletic activities allowed.

[JennK13]

While cemeteries creep me out, I live near one that's in the middle of a residential area and backs up to a MUP and people run through it all the time to cut through to the trail. I've never paid attention enough to notice if people ride in it. I dont find it disrespectful as long as mourners aren't bothered.