In all the matches I've played, I've only once had someone who managed to outrun me for longer than a minute. It's a matter of cutting someone off, not following someone. When following someone, cut him off and do NOT use a bow or anything that could slow you down, you catch up to people in no time if you do it right.

So yes, it's your own fault if you lose track of someone.
Unless they have an invisibility potion or speed potion of course. But in that situation it's about as fair as having kit buffer and kit miq ready in deathmatch so you can quickly kill everyone. It's a strategy meant for surviving and maybe even winning. If the game gets prolonged, then so be it.

 

Ladders is where your bow and arrow come in handy, same with water. Things like that are death traps when you run away.

Also, if you run in a straight line, you will eventually hit a wall, forcing you in another direction. That's the point where they can easily be cut off. (Because usually it's very predictable, given you know the map)