Painting stairs under runner

[Gossamer]

Morning,
I've removed years of paint from my victorian staircase in preparation for painting or staining.
Anyway I've decided to have a runner and paint the visible wood eggshell white.
Is it normal to just paint the few inches visible either side of the runner (and the stringers) and leave the area under the runner bare?
Will obviously save time.
Cheers.

 

[Tigger90]

My stairs in a Victorian cottage had a paint effect from god knows when and the centre section was left bare where the runner was.

 

[Tigercubrider]

it makes sense to…

save paint
save time
you can still go up stairs.

 

[Nige F]

My stairs in a Victorian cottage had a paint effect from god knows when and the centre section was left bare where the runner was.

He told me it was specified for Noah

 

[Robbie uk]

Always leave middle bare. Painted wood can get slippy. About 4 or 5 inch painted either side looks great.

 

[Gossamer]

Thanks. Makes sense to leave it I suppose, especially the comment about slippage.