diff --git a/main.js b/main.js
index f1dde75..bc181f9 100644
--- a/main.js
+++ b/main.js
@@ -69,6 +69,21 @@
 
   const runner = Runner.create();
   Runner.run(runner, engine);
+  let runnerActive = true;
+
+  const startRunner = () => {
+    if (!runnerActive) {
+      Runner.run(runner, engine);
+      runnerActive = true;
+    }
+  };
+
+  const stopRunner = () => {
+    if (runnerActive) {
+      Runner.stop(runner);
+      runnerActive = false;
+    }
+  };
 
   // Static boundaries and scene-specific obstacles.
   let boundaries = [];
@@ -213,6 +228,7 @@
     isPaused = false;
     resetChainVisuals();
     stopSpawner();
+    stopRunner();
     engine.timing.timeScale = 0;
     pauseOverlay.classList.remove("visible");
     pauseBtn.textContent = "Pause";
@@ -234,6 +250,7 @@
     pauseOverlay.classList.remove("visible");
     pauseBtn.textContent = "Pause";
     engine.timing.timeScale = 1;
+    startRunner();
     updateHud();
     startSpawner();
   };
@@ -252,8 +269,10 @@
     if (isPaused) {
       resetChainVisuals();
       stopSpawner();
+      stopRunner();
       engine.timing.timeScale = 0;
     } else {
+      startRunner();
       startSpawner();
       engine.timing.timeScale = 1;
     }
@@ -520,10 +539,12 @@
     });
     // Rotate any scene rotators slowly.
     const dt = (engine.timing && engine.timing.delta) || 16;
+    const timeScale = engine.timing?.timeScale ?? 1;
+    if (isPaused || gameOver || timeScale === 0) return;
     rotators.forEach((b) => {
       const speed = b.plugin.rotSpeed || 0;
       if (speed !== 0) {
-        Body.rotate(b, speed * (dt / 1000));
+        Body.rotate(b, speed * ((dt * timeScale) / 1000));
       }
     });
   });