Is it safe to run outside when it's dark?

I do it all the time -- either run home from work after dark or run in the morning before it's light (it usually gets light while I'm running, which is cool). It depends on where you live, though -- only you can make that judgment.

Tried it. Tripped over uneven pavement.

noobletmcnugget wrote: »

I'm 20 years old and I want to start running, and early in the morning is the most convenient time for me. I live in a relatively safe area, and would be sticking to roads with street lights. The idea of running alone in the dark makes me feel a little bit nervous though. I'm guessing listening to music would probably be a bit of a no-no?

Thoughts?

I'm a guy but totally comfortable with it. Grab a light, maybe some reflective/visible clothing, make sure you run on the side of the road that would be the wrong side of the road if you were driving.

I listen to music all the time even if I do run at night. I can see all traffic coming at me, and I guess I've just acceptable the very low probability that if a car were to drift all the way from the right lane, into the left lane and off the road into me I'd be taken largely by surprise.

Of course with a light you can just go on trails and not have cars to worry about whatsoever.

noobletmcnugget wrote: »

I'm 20 years old and I want to start running, and early in the morning is the most convenient time for me. I live in a relatively safe area, and would be sticking to roads with street lights. The idea of running alone in the dark makes me feel a little bit nervous though. I'm guessing listening to music would probably be a bit of a no-no?

You have to do your own assessment based on the locale.

The biggest risk to me would generally be some cage dweller sitting in their air conditioned box, listening to the radio and not paying attention to what's going on outside. The answer to that is avoiding running in a situation where they might actually hit me, and using high viz and lights to draw attention to myself.

If I'm trail running the biggest risk is tripping over a tree root or something - So a head torch

I have had a situation where a pedestrian startled over me running behind and then past them, and had a go at me with something they were carrying for self defence. The threat there was their own fear.

Take a look at the stats, make your own judgement

totally depends on how you feel about your surroundings and the vibe you get. I live in Johannesburg and go to the gym at 4:30am when its still dark, feel safer than I did back in Manchester, UK that's for sure..

Boxing987 wrote: »

women prob wouldnt feel as safe running at night

Feel unsafe <> are unsafe

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.

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.

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 cars