Going for 1h30 run - how to make an emergency call?

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A very practical question.
ds (17yo) is doing a lot of running, even more so since the lockdown. He is now doing what I would call a long run (about 15~17km) on a regular basis

Any idea on how he could take 'something' with him to contact us in case of emergency (eg he twists his ankle and can't walk back home).
A phone has been a no-no from him (where could I keep that?). Money seems a bit pointless (where could you find a public phone to ring home or a taxi).

Any other idea??

He buys a runners waist belt or arm band and outs his phone in it!

Phone in waistband like bumbag.......

Honestly the really obvious choice is the phone. I use an arm strap to pop mine in, but there are loads of other things which don't affect performance too. Anything he has he will have to carry in some way, may as well be something he already owns?

He can keep a phone in specifically designed pockets in proper running clothes, or an armband etc. Plenty of people run with headphones/phone somewhere on their person. There are apps dedicated to tracking your run by taking your phone with you!

I’m sure he’s super aware of runners arm band holders for phones . Perhaps he just wants to sneak off somewhere for a while and not be tracked ?

I agree, a phone in one of those arm things. If it's that he doesn't want to lose his phone then he could get a cheap payg one.

Oh I never thought about the arm band!. I'll have a word with him about that one.
He is tracking his runs with his watch and has never felt the need to take his phone on his runs either....

I have the freetrain running vest. I don't like armbands as they fall off a lot, but the vest is really secure. My own DSs borrow it when they run.

@Therollockingrogue

I’m sure he’s super aware of runners arm band holders for phones . Perhaps he just wants to sneak off somewhere for a while and not be tracked ?

Well DH mentioned that a few times. Except that he can show us every singel one of his runs on the app he is using. No hidding there

Our daughter runs and wears a runners arm band, she tracks her runs on her phone. They're less than £10 so won't break the bank.

If he really won't take a phone, I'd make him tell you (or someone) the route he's going to take and how long he expects it to take, so if he's late, you can at least go looking for him. I always do this when I'm running alone, even with a phone on me!

Would he consider a carrier pigeon perhaps?

Sorry, but a phone is the obvious choice really.

Thanks @17CherryTreeLane, I'll have a look at that too.

As you can see, running is absolutely not my area and I never thought about any of those (even though I have SEEN them on people around me )

@Shesingsshangrila, we've done that a long time ago. Always a lot huffng and puffing aboutit but I now where he is at least.

Its just that I wouldnt be surpised if he still was trying to run/walk his way back injured ...

If he knocked on a door someone would take pity & phone a taxi for him or yourself. As long as he can memorise your number.

Why does he need a phone? Is it very likely that something will happen in a very isolated place?

A phone is a necessity.

I once sprained my ankle badly about a mile away from home. My limp turned into a hop and then an almost crawl due to the pain.

I've got a belt. It's a canvas/elastic thing with just space for my phone and key. I wear it around my waist and under my top.

If he doesn't like an armband (I hate them) you can get stretchy bands that go around your waist, much more subtle than a bumbag and hidden under your top anyway.

I'd never run on my own without my phone, a friend of mine was knocked unconscious by a passing truck wing mirror (!!) and while picked up by passers by he couldn't contact his wife at all as he didn't know her number without his phone.

It's a bit odd that he won't take his phone , I thought teens were glued to the phone .
I run and take mine for music , Also it's a good idea If anything happened I thought most take a phone . I have a running belt so i just bob it in there.
Tell him he must take his phone and buy a run belt .

If his watch has gps and tracks his runs, can’t you use that? You should at least be able to track his location.

I’d be tempted to upgrade the watch to something with a call facility like an apple watch if you can afford it.

Buy some shorts with a suitable pocket?

I dislike belts and so on, they're too hot in the summer.

What about a watch phone? So he has one device to rack his runs, tell the time AND be an emergency phone?

My running shorts have pockets tight against the leg.

I have my phone in one and dog pooh bags in the other (I run with my dog).

Which app is he using to track his runs? I think some of them have the facility to alert an emergency contact if there's a problem? Some watches can do that as well, might be worth looking into the settings of his watch to see if that's a possibility

DS1 has an Apple watch (but he's 19yo and earned the money to pay for it!). If I'm honest, I don't know it's capabilities but he says he can use it to contact us without having his phone with him.

I'm with your DS, I don't run with my phone. My "contingency plan" is to either limp home or ask someone for help if things are that desperate.

Is he having professional coaching? They're much longer runs than would usually be recommended for a 17yo.