I stopped just where I was, in the middle of the course, stooped down, and tied my shoe. She almost took a full-frontal fall recently when the runner in front of her stopped to tie her shoe. Miss RM would have been plenty provoked had she fallen and gotten her trademark white gloves grimy and grey, to think nothing of her bruised dignity. It is de rigueur, Dear Runner, to move to the side of the road, trail, or wherever you are running, to tie your shoe, adjust your clothes, clean your contacts, or do whatever, shall we say, needs doing. Think of all the negative publicity.
Runners are focused on getting the job done, i.e., finishing the race.
They are moving along the course thinking that the other runners are moving along too. Last thing on their minds is that a runner in front of them will stop short. And don't forget to mind your race manners.