Is it safe to run outside when it's dark?
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HealthyVitamins wrote: »totally depends on how you feel about your surroundings and the vibe you get. I live in Johannesburg and cycle to the gym at 4:30am when its still dark, feel safer than I did back in Manchester, UK that's for sure..
wooops was supposed to edit original post and ended up quoting and posting again
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It's not safe around here, for various reasons. If the road itself didn't attract antisocial *kitten**&^%$ from elsewhere using it as a shortcut to the highway, it wouldn't be so bad, but they are really bad. And they drink and drive and do other crazy driving stuff, so no. Pedestrians get hit in broad daylight on the roads around me
A kid got killed in a hit and run just the other day. It's insane.
Then we do have drunks and druggies who walk long ways up to the convenience store late (for alcohol), too. I think my big dog would work for that, but it's still scary (and that dog doesn't like running, lol).
Scope out the area slowly in a car and check what it's like at the time you are talking about. Check out the lighting, the drivers, and any stores, etc, that are there and see who comes in. It'll give a better idea than what you know from daylight.0 -
I run in Memphis at night, one of the top 10 most dangerous cities in the country, and I still feel comfortable running at night. Carry some runner's mace (yes they have a running version), don't use headphones, and pay attention to where you are and don't go in places you shouldn't. Wear reflective gear even if you plan on being on sidewalks, you have to cross streets at some point. The biggest thing is being vigilant. Be aware of your surroundings.0
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I wouldn't
I live in a safe area in a city but still no
women have to take educated risk assessments, for me it comes out as too risky .. and we are talking stranger danger not cars0 -
I live in UK poor street lighting here so i do running weekends when dark but I run in evenings. Not long til it will brighten up
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I wouldn't but I live in the middle of nowhere no lights. I will however walk the dogs at night no problems, with a headlamp and reflective clothes and harness.0
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I run in the city at 4am with my collie mix.
i have a flashing light attached to my reflective vest, a hat with LEDs on the brim, reflective leg and arm bands. and my running clothes and belts usually have some sort of reflective aspects to it.
If i didn't have a dog i would run with pepper spray and maybe a stun gun just in case.0 -
I think it just depends on the area. I used to run in the dark in my village and felt safe. Always in hivis.
I wouldn't wear headphones to run on the road as you are less aware of what is around you eg cars0 -
I run in the dark early morning most days, around a local park. Maybe I live in a town with an unusually high number of runners, but there are always other people out running when I go, which makes me feel pretty safe. I live in a very low-crime area anyway knowing there are other people around walking dogs, running etc is pretty reassuring.
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kshama2001 wrote: »
That's actually a great idea until she gets old enough to carry some real firepower.
But why not something non-lethal like pepper spray?0 -
depends on the neighborhood. where my boyfriend lives is super safe but it's REALLY dark since they don't like streetlights and there is a major lack of sidewalks! There is a very real risk of getting either hit by a car. Also, I've actually run into a full grown buck on a running trail.
where I live is more well lit and there are more sidewalks and more people generally outside since it's closer to the city so it's better for running at night.0 -
I always run early in the morning when its dark. It is a little nervy at first, but I have grown to love it. But I live out in the country where I am more worried about stray, quasi-feral dogs, coyotes and the occasional bear. I know they are more afraid of me , but I still run with a bit of an edge... and definitely no headphones...0
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arditarose wrote: »What do you think? Trust your instincts. I can't imagine running without headphones (well I can't imagine running in general), but I suppose it would be a bit safer. I live in NYC and would not be afraid to run alone in the dark...I just avoid certain streets or neighborhoods.
When I worked nights, I would run in Brooklyn at 3am. Same thing, I just had to avoid certain streets or areas.
An even bigger concern was vehicles. Firstly, being seen: so I always wore bright colored clothing and even then have almost been struck several times (in Brooklyn you have a lot of people who should not be on the road at night, either inebriated or elderly with poor eyesight as it is... the latter the one I had the most incidents with).
Then, there is number 2: at least in NYC (and likely it is not alone), there seems to be lawlessness on the streets at night. I can count on three fingers over the course of two years the number of vehicles that did stop for red lights or stop signs as I was crossing a street. Left turn on red, not even slowing down, etc etc. Every time I came to a crossing and I saw a vehicle approaching I would treat it as if the vehicle was not going to stop, even if I had the signal... because likely they were not going to.
Like one other stated, I have started others as running, but no incidents, however it is a good thing to be aware of that you may not want to get too close to another in case they mistake your intentions.0 -
I wouldn't - I used to, until I tripped on an uneven sidewalk, which I would have avoided in the daylight, and I busted up my knee.0
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ALWAYS have your phone, ALWAYS carry pepper spray, and use this app on your phone...
https://roadid.com/ecrumbs
This is what my little sister does no matter what time of day she runs.0 -
I do, but I'm only comfortable because I have lights and reflective gear and I take my dog (he's a tough looking boxer) with me. I don't think I'd do it without him.0
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It probably depends on where you live. I live in a high crime city, and I used to run in the early morning/ early evening hours. I wore lit gear and stuck to paths with lots of pedestrians and a park with lots of other runners in a "safe" area. I felt okay about it until a guy groped me on a busy street. It was only about 5pm, and he probably would have done it in the daylight too, but I stopped running a couple months after that. I'd really like to start back, but I think I'm going to stick to daylight hours and/or group run situations. It scared the crap out of me. There were people all around us and nobody stopped to see if I was okay.0
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I live in a safe neighborhood... But I still run with pepper spray. I run early mornings at 5: a.m. and there are some street lights that are out..
I also use my phone (wear it on my arm) for music on my long runs, I always have my phone with me, got pepper spray and my legs... Now you got catch me...0 -
I'm female in my 20s and I run in the dark with headphones. I wear a high vis jacket for cars and sometimes a flashing ankle bracelet. Just use common sense, stick to main roads and don't go down any dodgy side ways or unlit alleys. Let someone know when to expect you back and carry id for wost case scenario x0
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Yes. Run against traffic, so you can see who is approaching you. Wear something that makes you visible. I use a head lamp. I run with music, but I don't use headphones, I just let my phone play audibly. If you want to then I would only use one ear bud. I live on the 49th parallel so it gets dark around 4:00PM before the solstice. Everyone runs at night around here.
One piece of advice is if you see someone walking shout to them, so they hear you well in advance. Something like "Runner on your left". A guy almost decked me the other day because he heard me approach him running, and thought I was going attack him.0 -
kshama2001 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »
That's actually a great idea until she gets old enough to carry some real firepower.
But why not something non-lethal like pepper spray?
Because pepper spray isn't effective on everyone. 125grains of jacketed hollowpoint at 1450fps is.0 -
As always, it depends on where you're running.
I often run at night. I run on a run/bike trail so only need to think about cars at the couple of places where I need to cross a road. I also don't worry about visibility because between the street lights and house lights I can a good distance away. The bicyclists all use lamps (traveling too fast for lower-light conditions) so I know they can see me. Plus, I do have the standard reflective gear.
My two concerns would be:
1) Injuring myself far from home - not many people out as late as I sometimes run. My nearest non-911 help would be a good 30min away (I live alone, no friends close by). I decided I could accept this.
2) Random whack-jobs. Based on stats for my area, it's highly unlikely there'd be a purposeful robber or rapist lurking on the trail I use. There's a trail that runs through downtown that seems to attract all of those problems. On the other hand, just this year there was a guy who had a mental breakdown, and killed two random people with an axe (a bicyclist and a walker, I think). It was on a trail connected to the one I use, ~8 miles north of where I run. This kind of thing I figure can happen anywhere at anytime. No reason to be more concerned about it while running than when shopping.0 -
As always, it depends on where you're running.
I often run at night. I run on a run/bike trail so only need to think about cars at the couple of places where I need to cross a road. I also don't worry about visibility because between the street lights and house lights I can a good distance away. The bicyclists all use lamps (traveling too fast for lower-light conditions) so I know they can see me. Plus, I do have the standard reflective gear.
My two concerns would be:
1) Injuring myself far from home - not many people out as late as I sometimes run. My nearest non-911 help would be a good 30min away (I live alone, no friends close by). I decided I could accept this.
2) Random whack-jobs. Based on stats for my area, it's highly unlikely there'd be a purposeful robber or rapist lurking on the trail I use. There's a trail that runs through downtown that seems to attract all of those problems. On the other hand, just this year there was a guy who had a mental breakdown, and killed two random people with an axe (a bicyclist and a walker, I think). It was on a trail connected to the one I use, ~8 miles north of where I run. This kind of thing I figure can happen anywhere at anytime. No reason to be more concerned about it while running than when shopping.As always, it depends on where you're running.
I often run at night. I run on a run/bike trail so only need to think about cars at the couple of places where I need to cross a road. I also don't worry about visibility because between the street lights and house lights I can a good distance away. The bicyclists all use lamps (traveling too fast for lower-light conditions) so I know they can see me. Plus, I do have the standard reflective gear.
My two concerns would be:
1) Injuring myself far from home - not many people out as late as I sometimes run. My nearest non-911 help would be a good 30min away (I live alone, no friends close by). I decided I could accept this.
2) Random whack-jobs. Based on stats for my area, it's highly unlikely there'd be a purposeful robber or rapist lurking on the trail I use. There's a trail that runs through downtown that seems to attract all of those problems. On the other hand, just this year there was a guy who had a mental breakdown, and killed two random people with an axe (a bicyclist and a walker, I think). It was on a trail connected to the one I use, ~8 miles north of where I run. This kind of thing I figure can happen anywhere at anytime. No reason to be more concerned about it while running than when shopping.
So......you're saying we should stop shopping too?0 -
Actually, my Kahr CW380 is so small and lightweight, I forget it's there, even while running.0 -
I do. In fact, it's impossible to not run when it's dark right now (Sundown is 4:48PM). I run on sidewalks, so no worries for cars, really. I also listen to music, I just keep the volume down a bit. As for someone mugging me, I'm moving faster than they are, so it's doubtful they'd be a threat.0
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When I was a runner, I lived in a very safe area, but was still very uneasy about running in the dark. Make sure you are visible, so wear a vest like someone else suggested, and don't wear headphones. Be aware of your surroundings. I always ran with pepper spray also, whether it was day or night.0
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I live in a really safe town and never really worried about going out in the mornings until there was an early morning rape of a woman running that terrified me back about 10 years. Now I think it's better to be in the gym if it's early morning or late at night.0
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Just to throw my two cents in, if you do decide to do this I would change up your route. Don't do the same routine. There are crazy people everywhere who like to notice people's routines - not that that will happen where you are but I'm of the school of thought of "better to be safe than sorry". Also, if you feel like you are being followed, don't run home!
On a personal note, I wouldn't run alone but that's me. I don't think I could fend someone (or something) off if anything dangerous happened. Do you have a friend, neighbor, or anyone else that may be willing to run with you? Also carry your phone on you. I like the pepper spray idea, I really need to get one for my key chain. We just want you to be safe. 0 -
I'd say it's better to run in the dark in the morning than at night. (when I was a teenager I would go for a run before 5 am, my mom would say "well, the criminals are probably still sleeping, so you should be ok).
But in all seriousness, you should always let someone know you're going for a run, how long it should take and what route you're taking. Carry pepper spray or whatever is legal. It might be a good idea to take different routes though.
I go for a run at night in the dark all the time, but I'm running with my 110 lb German shepherd so I feel safe.
Overall trust your instincts.0
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