Thanks for the answer Andrew although I find the ruling a bit interesting. Other rules would have led me to believe it would be the other way around in which a successful run away attempt would not be possible due to the level gain.
I would have based that off of a couple of things.
1. As far as I know, at level 9 you cannot play a GUAL card and not take the level in attempt to get rid of it. This might be applicable in an instance where you are trying to avoid charity.
2. In a previous ruling on a post of mine, you stated something similar in that you can not refuse to take a level from a fight.
http://forums.sjgames.com/showthread.php?t=145216
Also if I may piggyback on the original question. Lets say I was at level 8 and instead of rolling to run away, I used one of the various automatic escape cards, would that count as a successful runaway in order to gain the extra level?