Stay Safe Out There
By now many of you have likely heard the sad news about a woman in Memphis who was taken during her early morning run. Her remains were later found, and a man has been arrested suspected of being her killer. The family has requested that memorials be made to the Liza Wellford Fletcher Memorial Fund at St. Mary’s Episcopal School, Christ Methodist Day School, and Second Presbyterian Church.
In the midst of this tragic and devastating story, the spotlight has been shining on safety issues in the running community. St. Pete Running Company has 5 tips to share with you to help you minimize risk when going out on a run.
Please note that the advice given in this blog is meant to provide ideas and is not meant to be considered life-saving advice.
5 Running Safety Tips
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Be Seen –
- Wear reflective gear so that when a car’s headlights shine on you, they see you. If you run when it’s dark, wear lights. Remember that far more runners, cyclists, walkers, etc. are hit by vehicles than are abducted. Be aware of your surroundings and vehicles near you. If you wear headphones, wear Aftershokz so that your ears are open and you can still hear your surroundings. Keep the volume low. Remember electric cars are very quiet, so be on the lookout.
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Don’t be predictable –
- Vary your running routine. Go out the back door at times, other times leave through the front door. Alter your route, alter the time when you run. When your running routine is unpredictable, you make it hard for anyone to stalk you.
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Run with a Group –
- Join St. Pete Running Company every Monday and Thursday at 6:30 PM. We’re a group of friendly runners and walkers of all levels. You’ll likely meet new friends who can become your running partners. When you run with a partner or a group, you are highly unlikely to become a target.
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Tell Someone –
- Devices like a Garmin smartwatch have LiveTrack which allows you to connect with someone you trust. Once you start your workout, that person will receive live data about your run. Incident detection is now standard on most models. It’s also a great idea to text a friend or family member and tell them where you are running and how long you will be gone.
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Do Not Comply –
- If someone does approach you to cause you harm, do not comply. Don’t get into a car of someone you don’t know. Run away. Scream a safety name (such as your spouse’s name or a parent’s name). If someone grabs you, fight back. They will likely give up when you put up a fight. (Stay tuned for details on a Safety Defense Class coming soon).
Group Run in Honor of Liza
RSVP ON FACEBOOK
Liza Fletcher never got to finish her run. Lets come together as a running community and show our solidarity for a safer tomorrow for all runners. We will be finishing her run on Monday, September 12 at 6:30 PM. Walkers & Runners are encouraged to attend & optionally can wear a pink top and/or purple shorts, the colors Liza was wearing during her tragic abduction. This is a free, community event. We will not be timing, measuring or scoring the event. It’s merely a show of solidarity of a community of runners.
The route used will be an out & back along The Pinellas Trail which is just next to our store, St. Pete Running Company. 6986 22nd Ave North, St. Petersburg FL. Store can be contacted at 727-800-5043. There is plenty of parking plus additional parking at the rear of the store.
If you still have questions about running safety, we can help! Call or come into the store where our shoe experts are ready to provide the high-quality customer service you expect from a Top 50 Running Store in America.
