Yes, I have it set to run only as fast as the slowest can run, but what I do to get around that, is take everyone "running" between towns (avoiding the bandit camps of course because its suicide otherwise running that slow) for a "shopping trip" to see if I can find some more bandit back packs, better armour, cloth and hemp for crafting first aid kits (ups your medic value), then once everyone is "full" we run back home to unload (though most of its light weight so your only working out your athletics rather than strength) I find about 4-5 days of running between towns spending saved up coins gets the lowbie's speed up to about 15 or so, and at about that, when empty, you can out run dust bandits, because after a few more runs its at 20 + and less noticeable. if you want to increase stealth, do the same, run with stealth on between towns, it brings it up fast as well, usually I go make a cocoa or something while they run (I have cleared the bandits between their routes now). I have found stealth use (at night) very useful, sometimes bandits wont even see you if you don't go near their camp fires as long as its dark, so the speed thing isn't an issue.
