I'm with Froome on this one. If you're running close enough to get punched in the face or neck, you're too close. The riders are close to their limits, Froome is boxed in between the other riders and the side of the road and the obnoxious fan. I don't have a problem with fans running alongside the riders, except maybe the ones that are just doing it to get on TV. It's exciting when the riders come through! I ran beside Jens Voigt on Alpe D'Huez a few years back but stayed about 10 feet away. You have to have some sense and let the guys do their job.
Gratuitous pic of my oldest son on "funnest sports day ever"