Hi..
wondering if I can run - as in a daily jog while in Moscow, ST. Petersberg, Tula .. going next week for biz ... also, wearing sneakers .. is that okay or not, getting conflicting answers . thanks ..

Are you asking if you'll be in danger? (Obviously not if you stay in a central tourist area.)

Or if the Russians have some arcane laws about random running in the streets? (Not that I've ever heard of.)

And I have seen a number of people jogging in St Pet unimpeded (except one being chased by a small dog.)

We stayed in a hotel on the Bay of Finland, AKA the Baltic Sea, a few miles from St. Petersburg. Although it was dead winter, many were jogging on the beach and there were dozens of people flying those large kites that you see on the beaches here in the US in the summer. Can't answer your shoe question, though. I was observing them from the window of my hotel seven stories up. Didn't see any runners when we were in the city, but it was really cold. Looked like it might be a nice town for that kind of activity in warm weather, what with all the canals and bridges and great architecture to observe.

Both Moscow and St Petersburg have Hash House Harriers, you might want to contact them to get running information. Moscow HHH site is at:
http://www.moscowharriers.itgo.com/

Here in Russia we newer care what tourists wear. Just come and enjoy your staying. Wellcome