diff --git a/index.html b/index.html
index 47da6da..59e709d 100644
--- a/index.html
+++ b/index.html
@@ -494,6 +494,6 @@ if (location.hostname !== 'splatter-tennis.wuwi.one') {
     </div>
   </div>
 </div>
-<script type="module" src="src/main.js?v=248"></script>
+<script type="module" src="src/main.js?v=249"></script>
 </body>
 </html>
diff --git a/src/config.js b/src/config.js
index c306f3b..7ddc040 100644
--- a/src/config.js
+++ b/src/config.js
@@ -42,8 +42,9 @@ export const TUNE = {
   serveHardErr: 1.6,// how much a hard serve multiplies the timing scatter: pace is paid for in
                     // faults, which is what makes tap = safe second serve a real decision
   runN: 0,          // frame-count override for run cycles (0 = probe per character sheet) — bench tuning knob
-  runHz2: 1.7,      // stride cycles/s for TWO-frame pairs (the opponents). Tuned live on the bench
-                    // with Oliver 2026-08-14 — the old hardcoded 4.5 was strobe; 1.7 reads as running.
+  runHz2: 3.4,      // stride cycles/s for TWO-frame pairs (the opponents). Tuned live on the bench
+                    // with Oliver 2026-08-14: 4.5 on six frames was strobe, 1.7 on two read as jogging,
+                    // and 3.4 with the stride-synced bob is the one he called "way better".
   runHz: 2.4,       // stride cycles/s for the rolled 6/8-frame run sets. The old hardcoded 4.5 was
                     // tuned on 2-4 near-duplicate frames; on eight real phases it strobed
   faceFlip: 0.13,   // s an auto-steered direction must persist before the body mirrors (earnFlip).
diff --git a/src/render.js b/src/render.js
index 1f41e4e..72495ad 100644
--- a/src/render.js
+++ b/src/render.js
@@ -1498,7 +1498,9 @@ function drawChar(ch) {
   //  the spot, because the run frames are a full leaning stride, not a ready-hop. He idles now.)
   if (ch.pose === 'swing') name = pre + (ch.poseT < 0.15 ? 'swing1' : 'swing2');
   if (ch.pose === 'serve') name = pre + (G.phase === 'toss' ? 'toss' : 'smash');
-  if (ch.pose === 'run') p.y -= Math.floor(ch.runT * 18) % 2; // 1px run bob
+  // the run bob rides the STRIDE, not a wall clock: one dip per step, in phase with the frame
+  // flip — the old fixed 18 Hz toggle read as independent hopping over the calm 2-frame cycle
+  if (ch.pose === 'run') p.y -= Math.floor(ch.runT * (runN >= 6 ? TUNE.runHz : TUNE.runHz2) * runN) % 2;
   const img = SPR[SK(name)];
   drawShadow(p.x, p.y, hpx * 0.22, hpx * 0.06);
   if (img) {