Runners are often the ‘less awakened’ twin. They might believe in soulmates from watching movies (which means, like most people, they don’t really understand the full meaning), but they don’t see this specific connection as anything beyond two people who fell in love. They don’t see the spiritual side at all, and they try to fit energy they don’t understand into a worldview they already have.
So when you’re trying to tell if someone’s a runner vs false tf, look at commitment. A false flame avoids commitment unless it completely suits them. They’ll blame you for the lack of commitment. And a false tf will never fully separate unless they know you’re not going anywhere. They keep you on a string.
Real separation with a runner feels different because they’re not playing games. They genuinely can’t handle the intensity.
The running energy can show up as them getting into another relationship. They focus all their attention on someone else, throw themselves into work, and sometimes develop addictions. All of it is a distraction from the overwhelming love they feel. They associate the pain coming up for healing with you, the chaser. Their own wounds are surfacing, but they think you’re causing it. Even if there is no logic to it, this energy is not coming from a place of logic to begin with.
Also, remember that roles can switch. When the chaser pulls back, sometimes it triggers the runner’s abandonment fears and suddenly they realize they don’t want to lose you. Then the previous chaser might reject them because of all the hurt from before. It goes back and forth.