To go running alone at night in the park

[MamaGhina]

YABU - why on earth would anyone think this is ok
YANBU - anyone should be able to run at night alone

Have been running in the evening in my local park. It’s a London borough, fairly safe but the park has no lighting and a number of exits and entrances. Impossible to see who else is in the park. I take a torch mainly so I don’t get tangled in any dog walkers leads but generally the park is quiet at night. The torch means my location is obvious to anyone else in the park and obvious I am alone.

Every single person I have told that I do this is surprised, says I am mad or it’s dangerous. That I shouldn’t run alone, I need to find someone to run with or run during the day. I don’t want to run during the day because the park is busy, I end up bumping into loads of people I know and I just want to get on with my run. It’s not always convenient to go during the day, then shower, do hair etc. I prefer to run at night and then shower, get ready for bed. I don’t want to find someone to run with, have to wait for them, meet them, make chit chat etc I want to run to my own schedule.

FWIW I’m female, fairly small, mid 40s.

You should be able to do so safely. But you’re NOT. You’re not safe. If you insist on this madness, at least take a friend with you.

Wouldn’t do this in a million years. But I’ve always avoided walking in the dark alone all my life.

You should be able to but I don't recommend. I can't run in the daytime where I live because of harassment.

I voted not unreasonable, but there's a difference between "should" and "can". I quit running after getting catcalled by a van driver as I ran along the pavement next to a main road. I didn't feel safe any more.

We get told to exercise, but then harassed or worse when we go running, then the Govt is wondering why there's an activity gap between men and women, well street harassment and other manifestations of male sexual violence are why.

YABU - regardless of fair/unfair it's a huge risk you are taking which you can avoid by compromising on your running habits.
Run in daylight
Run with a buddy
Run in the gym

I find that women are never safe. Just watched 'dear child' on Netflix. Takes seconds to be abducted and become a missing person forever.

You do you

attention seeking post imo

If you insist on this madness, at least take a friend with you
This is the response I am used to hearing. I know there is a risk in what I’m doing but to me it’s the same as a risk every time I drive or cross the road etc.
I’m not out particularly late but it’s dark before 8pm now. I don’t want to feel like I can’t do a simple thing like go for a run in case someone attacks me.

I think you are absolutely mad.

You should be able to
unfortunatelly it’s a big risk you’re taking, parks after dark, especially with no lights are not safe places, shouldn’t be like that, but unfortunately that’s not the world we live in

Sad to say YABU.

My then 18 yr old DD was attacked running at 8pm on a summer evening. Guy ran up behind, pushed her to the ground and tried to get on top of her. She fought him off and even managed to get a few pics as he ran away. He was never caught and she doesn't run any more.

If you want to go for a run at night and you don’t want to go to a gym, which fair, then I’m afraid it’s pavement running in well lit streets

Honestly I think it depends on the park and area.
Some areas of London - no chance. Others - yes I would do this (although I don't like running in the dark).

I assume you have a phone with you. If you feel safe having assessed the risks I'd say crack on.

Safer than driving to work!

So what’s your problem then? Just keep doing it and ignore those who advise you not to 🤷‍♀️

Lol. I’m here mainly for the poll but also interested to hear what others think.

The compromise is running along the roads but as @VitoCorleoneOfMNMafia says, that has its own challenges. Plus I don’t really want to be bumping into my neighbours on my run. Or seeing Bob from the school run in the sports centre. Or paying for a gym membership that takes longer to drive there and back then the entirety of my run!

What borough of London though? That would be the decider for me.

I live in the borough of Richmond upon Thames and there's some parks I'd be happy to run in at night, but the small river route near me I wouldn't because I know gangs of little shit bags hang around and terrorise the area.

Well, you’re insistent that it’s safe and you’re going to continue doing it, so what can anyone tell you?
🤷🏻‍♀️
Don’t know why you bothered posting.

I run at night as well. I think it's a shame that the blanket message that night=dangerous is out there. I'm not sure that it's actually any more likely for you to be attacked when running at night compared to running during the day.

@TheHappinessEnigma I did feel it was fairly safe until I bumped into a friend on my way to the park who said I was mad. And then everyone I have discussed with since had the same opinion and I thought maybe I should reconsider.

Really? You don’t think being alone in a park after dark is any more dangerous than a busy street in daylight?

You should be able to but I personally would not. Just because it should be safe and of course victims of assault are not to blame, it doesn't mean you should lose all common sense and put yourself in potentially dangerous situations that could be avoided.

You should be able to do this, of course.

But the reality is that it’s not safe.

Up to you.

Life involves risk assessment.
No one can stop you doing this, so I’m not sure what you’re asking? You don’t need our permission. Risky behaviour as a one-off is very different to a regular pattern of risky behaviour.
All it takes is one man to observe your vulnerability, and act upon it.

I'd go, if that's what you want to do. I'd be happy to do it.

Tbh I think most people would assume anyone running at night in a park is a man. Women don't really do that. If all anyone can see is a headtorch bobbing along I don't think it's super dangerous

I have run alone at night in the woods, did get a bit freaked out at one stage but it was fine.

One thing I will say though is vary your route and your time. Don't go to the park at the same time each day you go. If they are any shit bags hanging around at least then you're not making yourself a target.