Run

Running is when one player or a team of players runs through explorable areas to desired locations, rather than fighting the monsters in that area. Generally the players being run take no part in the run, except in certain missions. A run differs from a ferry in that runs take players to locations that can be reached physically, rather than through special access areas.

Note: Running is usually done on Tyria, as in Elona and partially in Cantha, outposts are closed until you have completed the primary quests or missions to reach them. Thus, runs like the Droknar Run are impossible in Elona.

Motivation
When runners reach the entrance to the next area and pass through (i.e. zone), all party members (whether dead or alive) are moved to the next area. The same thing happens at the end of a cinematic. This allows all party members to be resurrected and/or pass into the next zone. If the goal is to resurrect the other party members, the runner can activate a resurrection shrine and then die within it's range to have all party members resurrect at that location.

For lower-level players, having a higher-level character run them allows them to access crafters and skill trainers earlier than they would normally be able to. Potential benefits of this is having maximum armor in a low-level area, capturing elites early on, or even just skipping the storyline. However, the low-level players usually end up in a higher-level area, making it difficult for them to participate in a group.

Players can also run to complete certain quests or missions (e.g. deliver an item or perform infusion) without fighting monsters along the way. This can be a quicker alternative to actually fighting everything in a zone.

Professions
Runners often choose warrior as their primary profession with monk or ranger as their secondary profession. These characters can use Sprint, have the highest armor rating, can wear absorption armor and runes, and can heal themselves. Monk/Rangers using Spell Breaker and Ranger stances, as well as Dervishes using Vow of Silence, are also popular profession combinations for running. It is however quite possible to do some runs with other professions, which can be useful for moving your own characters through Tyria. The Ranger's additional armor against Elemental damage helps in many places. There are also quite a few Ranger Assassin runners that use the Ranger stances such as Escape with the Assassin's Dash and Death's Charge. Another popular combination for Southen Shiverpeak runs is a Dervish with an Assassin secondary, combining Vow of Silence with Death's Charge and Dash.

Common Runs

 * Some popular runs in Tyria are:
 * From Ascalon City to Piken Square to Yak's Bend or Lion's Arch or Beacon's Perch
 * From Yak's Bend to Lions Arch to Beacon's Perch
 * From Beacon's Perch to Droknar's Forge (The Droknar Run)
 * From Beacon's Perch to Gates of Kryta or Lion's Arch
 * From Lions Arch to Ascalon City
 * From Lions Arch to Sanctum Cay, Beacon's Perch or Temple of the Ages
 * From Henge of Denravi to Maguuma Stade
 * From Bergen Hot Springs to Temple of the Ages or Beetletun, and in reverse
 * From The Amnoon Oasis to Augury Rock (see The Amnoon Oasis to Augury Rock)
 * From Augury Rock to the mission locations in the Crystal Desert, see the Ascension guide
 * From Thunderhead Keep to Marhan's Grotto
 * From Iron Mines of Moladune to Copperhammer Mines
 * From Copperhammer Mines to Granite Citadel
 * Some popular runs in Cantha are:
 * From Cavalon to Bai Paasu Reach, Eredon Terrace, Breaker Hollow, Jade Flats (Luxon) and Aspenwood Gate (Luxon)
 * From House zu Heltzer to Aspenwood Gate (Kurzick), Saint Anjeka's Shrine, Lutgardis Conservatory, Brauer Academy and Jade Flats (Kurzick)

Payment
Generally when another player runs a player to somewhere they want to go they require payment for the effort. The payment varies depending on the run. Where the payment is made along the run is usually up to the runner, though the runner may request that the money be shown (i.e. in the trade window without actually giving the money) before the run is made to prevent getting scammed. Whether hiring another player to run you, or running a group of players yourself, you should watch out for scams.

Keep the following points in mind when you decide to charge/pay for a run:

Runners

 * Asking players to pay "on arrival" is inviting the opportunity to be scammed. Insist that players pay in the explorable area prior to the destination or, on longer runs, halfway.  Once you have reached an outpost, there is no incentive for the player to pay besides honesty and good will. (Of course, if the one being run refuses you pay you could take the matter to ANet for dishonest trade practices and see if they do anything about it. It is, however, unlikely that they would: it's best to avoid the situation entirely.)

Players seeking runs

 * Do not pay up front for a run. If you pay up front, the runner has no incentive to run you to your destination.  Insist that payment be made in the explorable area prior to the destination, or if possible, at the destination. At most, offer to pay half at a half-way point.
 * Familiarize yourself with the going rates for a run to your destination. If you've regularly seen a run priced at 1000 gold, do not pay 3000 for it. Sometimes simply looking at the other runners advertising at that time might not tell you a normal price.
 * "Guaranteed arrival" and "pro-runner" are subjective terms that shouldn't be taken literally. A runner may be very skilled at making a particular run, but do not pay more just because arrival is purportedly "guaranteed." At the same time, just because a runner is giving a "test-run" doesn't mean that they aren't skilled and won't get you where you want to be.
 * Beware of claims that a particular run now costs more because the running build was nerfed. Check the game updates to see if a build has been rendered less effective. If the runner is unwilling to run for what you're willing to pay, wait for another runner.

Tip: Dying while others run you offers a convenient way to watch the runners and see how they do what they do. Simply click on the surviving runner's name in the Party List and observe. You can see what skills they're using if you watch the bar at the center of the top of the screen. Be sure to check with your runner prior to dying, as some runs, particularly in missions, require payment shortly before completion.

Additional notes

 * For Running guides see Guides
 * "Run" is occasionally used in a broader sense to refer to a single trip through a mission, explorable area, or quest, such as a "farming run".