CopperCyclist
Veteran
Did you ever get to check on the legalities of running in the road?
It seems to me that putting one's arm out is not a problem - nobody should be passing that closely anyway.
I was never checking the legalities of running in the road, that's clearly allowed - they have the same inherent right that a cycle does! However if you meant did I check the offence of 'causing danger to road users' then yeah I did. You actually have to put an object on the road, alter signage/equipment or interfere with a car for the offence of causing danger to road users, so that one doesn't fit.
However, the wilful obstruction of a highway certainly would fit - although in the big picture, unless they are somehow truly preventing you passing for a significant amount of time, I doubt very much there would be any actual action/issue. Regardless though, if they up there are out with the intention of slowing/stopping you, and succeed, the technicalities of the offence are met.