I have these tiny (~ 1x2 mm) red bugs moving rapidly along my pot rims.  Anyone know what they are?  Some kind of Trombidiidae?

Bob, looks like spider mites. Google for pictures to compare to it.
"gene"

Bob, I have the same problem with those bugs.  When you kill them, do they leave a bright red streak?  Not sure if they're threatening to the plants or not.

Hey Bob, have you seen them on the underside of the leaves? I had something similar to those that was all over the leaves and was causing a lot of my figs to wilt- then when I sprayed for them with safety-cide my figs seemed to improve a lot. I never got a definitive id on them but I am pretty sure they are not good for the plants

Bob,

I am not exactly sure what those bugs are, I wouldn't be surprised if they are somwhere in the mite family. This time of year a see them on all different surfaces, not on just plants. They are for sure not the type of spider mite that gardeners dread. IMO they are some sort of a predatory mite. They cover alot of area fast and to me it seems like a hunting pattern. I have never seen them gather in groups, although they can be somewhat numerous throughout the yard. The plants that I see them on never exhibit any spider mite type symptoms...that is not unless that plant is also populated by "typical" spider mites.

IMO they are either benign or beneficial.

Looks like clover mites.  They are more or less predator mites.  I have never found a reason to spray for them.

The insect I am talking about is solitary, bright red in color always, no webs, and very fast. When it isn't sitting still it is running.

Sorry to be unclear.  The only place I've seen these is on the pot rims.  They run in and out of the potting media which is very coarse and along the pot rims.  I haven't seen any on the leaves.  I know spider mites and their webs.  There are no webs otherwise I would know they were spider mites.   :)  Of course there's no way you'd know I know spider mites so I'm grateful for all input. 

Yep.  These little guys are more interested in other mites and fungus than your plants.  I've had them, solitary and many, on pots also.  I've never considered them to be a problem.