pinching out runner beans

I don't think I would risk pinching anything out this summer.

I'd let the beans reach the top of their poles rather than set them back by nipping out the tops. I've never done that... eventually they'll sort themselves out once they run out of something to clamber up.

There is, as far as I am aware, no advantage to pinching out runner beans,

(Famous last words.  I bet someone does.  )

 

Not sure about "full of" dmg but I'm often up into the wee small hours as it's the about the only time I have free during the day.

There are one or two people living elsewhere on the globe so their time zones differ from ours but generally this is a very popular site so responses tend to be speedy no matter when you post.

Good luck with those runners... give them their heads and hope we get some warm summer days. 

For the sake of tidyness, especially if your canes are on the short side, you can pinch out the growing tip when (if?  ) they reach the top of the canes (actually, about a foot before that point as the stem will continue to lengthen even without its tip.)