Would you run in the dark?

[Pineapplepyjamas]

Another terrible murder, early in the evening, has made me reconsider my running safety.

I’m extremely cautious in all aspects of my life, but didn’t used to think anything of running in the dark winter evenings - say about 7pm. Through city streets, not parks.

Would you run in the dark? How dangerous do you think it is?

Ah ok sorry didn't see your second post. How many people is that tio I wonder

@clary I was under the impression about 25% of murders are not solved & that women are disproportionately the victims in unsolved ones.

Just googled and found this

"The majority of 2,600 unsolved murders in the UK relate to female victims, according to a leading crime expert."

and from 2018

"Only 72% of murders and manslaughters resulted in charges by Metropolitan Police last year, down from at least 90% in previous years."

Here's the BBC article

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-56365412.amp

and article about unsolved cases

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/metro.co.uk/2021/03/23/majority-of-unsolved-murders-across-uk-involve-female-victims-14286904/amp/

I absolutely run in the dark. I love running and this is a dark miserable little island for several months of the year, like hell am I not going to do something that I love.

I generally avoid canals and parks unless they’re well lit (Battersea Park had great lighting and was excellent for winter speed sessions when I lived in that neck of the woods). I’ve been physically grabbed twice while running and both times it was daylight.

I remembered posting on this theme before, and have found the thread (from 2019)

The comment I made then, that I think bears repeating here is this:

"I had an interesting conversation with a young man at my running club, a couple of years ago - in October when the scary clowns were all over the news. He said how he suddenly felt nervous when running after dark somewhere he usually ran without qualms, just because someone might jump out and prank him. His face looked like a stopped clock when I said female runners have to think like that all the time "

I used to all the time without a second thought Would be unable to train for half marathons if I didnt as it gets dark so early in the winter months and I work during the day. But I live an under 5 minute run from where Sabina Nessa was murdered and I can't say I'm not reconsidering......

I wouldn't run in the dark if it was totally pitch black and I might run into a tree etc. But I'd defo run in a field as the light was fading. A head torch could be a useful solution.

I don't run anywhere. I've no qualms about walking in the dark.

Not running but walking.
Yes in an urban area, no in a rural area. Would do either in the daylight.
I was stranger attacked walking in the dark in a rural area.
Before that I thought I wasn't going to allow fear rule my life and that I would go where I wanted, when I wanted.
I don't think like that any more.

Yes. I run in at night in London. I try to stay aware of what's going on around me though. No headphones, etc.

I was running down a main road last night and some nutter appeared from the shadows. I was ready to punch him in the throat if he took any more steps closer to me, but he just muttered something and kept his distance.

I run in the dark when I have to. Rural. Unlit roads, public footpaths and bridleways.

I had an interesting conversation with a young man at my running club, a couple of years ago - in October when the scary clowns were all over the news. He said how he suddenly felt nervous when running after dark somewhere he usually ran without qualms, just because someone might jump out and prank him. His face looked like a stopped clock when I said female runners have to think like that all the time".

But statistically he's 4x more likely to be attacked by a stranger than you are. Maybe that's why he responded to the lecturing with a funny look.

It was a 'penny dropping' look. No disapproval or WTAFery. It was a conversation, not a lecture.

He's simply never had to think about risks before. It considered that it's drilled into women to do so all the time.

Now thar might be a form of cognitive dissonance, seeing as young men are the most likely vispctins of stranger crime. But you need to set against that what demographic don't feel the need to assess and mitigate, and are therefore out and about more often

It’s been interesting reading everyone’s perspectives. I think I will get some of the bone headphones that have been mentioned.

I think running is important enough to me that I’m not prepared to curtail my life by stopping. I’ll probably only go on runs where I can return before 8pm, and I’ll stick to the busier, well lit roads.

I live in the city centre and don’t drive so I don’t see how running at 7pm is any more dangerous than walking to Sainsbury’s at 7pm. My runs are generally less than 5km.

If you can find busy but plenty space to run (not too many people!) and also not a main road that's best- pollution.

I saw a telly thing if there's a busy road. The pollution drops massively even just the next road along iyswim.

If you'd have asked me 2 years ago then yes. Since then someone attacked me when I was walking home and dragged me to the ground - I fought back and got away. Absolutely no chance I'll walk alone in the dark ever again.

@FindingMeno

Not running but walking. Yes in an urban area, no in a rural area. Would do either in the daylight. I was stranger attacked walking in the dark in a rural area. Before that I thought I wasn't going to allow fear rule my life and that I would go where I wanted, when I wanted. I don't think like that any more.

This is exactly what happened to me and exactly how I now feel

@sylbunny I'm sorry that happened to you

Before that I thought I wasn't going to allow fear rule my life and that I would go where I wanted, when I wanted.

That's basically how a lot of men think.

TBH, they may actually have the right attitude IMHO as lots of women are clearly envious of them for walking around at night. This is ultimately a self imposed restriction for most women, as they envy men's freedom but won't do the same despite facing only a fraction of the likelihood of assault.

@ColorMagicBarbie having been in a situation where I genuinely believe I was lucky to get away with my life, I make no apologies for my self- imposed restrictions.
I envy anyone who walks around at night without fear, not just men, but I also wonder how much some people deceive themselves in how effective they would be in fighting off a stranger attack.
I'm not scared to walk about at night if I believe there is a chance help might come. But in an isolated area, no way.

It's basically that 'what ifs' that stop women walking at night, as they'd be less able to defend themselves. But on the other hand they're much less likely to be in the situation where they need to. As an example, a retired boxer living in the bronx probably has a fair chance on defending himself but it doesn't mean that he's safer than Joe Biden sitting there in the Whitehouse.

I think that you have to make a decision based on your area. In London I ran in the dark, only on main streets, never alley ways or parks. In the deep countryside I was run in woods and fields as it was very quiet and safe.
No one else can advise, you have to make the judgement.

Not where I live. City streets maybe/yes.