A disturbing one in three woman have been harassed when running alone, according to the results of a new survey by England Athletics released this week.
It includes being shouted at, drivers honking their horns and even men running alongside them. Perhaps unsurprisingly, just under half of the 2,000 women surveyed expressed fears for their personal safety while running alone.
I’ve been running (ok, plodding) for a few years, on and off, and I’ve certainly experienced being shouted at and also beeped at. It might sound harmless but it can be really intimidating, especially when its dark, which is usually the only time I’m free to run.
It has made me think twice about going out on my own – and that makes me really angry. Why shouldn’t I be allowed to run where and when I want? How dare they think it’s ok to harass people. Even when it only happens occasionally I’m often still on high alert, which doesn’t make for a very pleasant run.
Alongside the survey a new campaign aimed at getting more people in England running by pairing them with their local clubs “providing a reliable, safe and friendly environment” was launched.
The RunTogether initiative works on the basis that “running with others provides motivation, guidance and support, as well as making it more fun”. Having run both on my own and with a buddy, I wholeheartedly agree with each of their points.
The C25K was much easier when we could spur one another on/moan about each week. Even now, when we consistently run 5K-ish, the fact that I don’t want to let her down means I carry on when I know, if I was on my own, I would stop and walk (I’m really not a natural runner).
The new website makes it easy to find clubs in your area for different levels (it also has running routes available).
I’m not really a club person and while I’m happy to run with my friend, group running really isn’t my cup of tea.
When I first heard about RunTogether, without really reading the details, I thought it was like a dating app for runners. I think it would take someone pretty unique to answer my ad but I’ve already met my soulmate (luckily long before she realised what she was in for).
I’m very lucky to have found someone who is understanding of my commitments (and the occasional need to cancel at the last minute if Freya is ill) but who also tolerates me stopping to take photos every now and then without even a hint of annoyance (the fact that she will star jump on demand is an added bonus).
Of course, not everyone is lucky enough to have a buddy like mine – and even when we run together we have been beeped at – which is why I think this new resource is going to be helpful – especially in the absence of any solution to stamp out such ridiculous, intimidating behaviour.
PS If you like this post please consider voting for me in the Nepaliaustralian Blog Awards by clicking here and entering “Best Personal Blog – 1” in the comments. Thank you.
After The Rain 
That’s great that you have a compatible running partner. I would be afraid to run alone and even where I live, which is a small peaceful town. I would love to vote for you but when I clicked on the link I wasn’t sure which thread to vote on. Congratulations on your nomination!😉
LikeLike
Do you see other women running alone? Very strange about the link. When I click on it it brings up the awards post. Thank you for saying you would vote for me, anyway 🙂
LikeLike
Tara, Ill try again to vote. Yes, I see women running alone here.
LikeLike
I have very rarely been beeped or shouted at when running. I was surprised by how many women are! I always run alone. The timings of running clubs don’t appeal to me as they’re in the evening and all the kids’ activities mean I need to run in the morning.
LikeLike