PVCC Puma Press: March 2005

Jamie Anderson is training for an upcoming half marathon race. She is a full-time student working two jobs and doesn’t have too many friends who share her love for running. On top of it all, the only time she has to run is after work when it gets dark.

What’s a girl to do?

Anderson probably shouldn’t go out on a solo run in the middle of the night in an unfamiliar area. Not only would it be risky, she would be putting herself into a dangerous state of vulnerability.

Female runners throughout Phoenix face this decision every day. Is a solo run worth the risk? Most women would reason: it’s OK if I take the right precaution. How can a run really be called a safe run? Experienced runners and law enforcement officers are a great source on running safety. Women can use the experiences and tips shared by others to equip themselves properly for the dangers of running alone.

One man who knows running safety is Paradise Valley Community College head cross country coach Dave Barney. He is constantly taking safety precautions with his team, encouraging the team to run in groups, driving a van alongside the runners and even running with them.

Barney thinks safety first. “I realize people think they’re young and invincible, but don’t risk it, it’s not worth it,” he said of running alone. He added that he would rather a woman not run than put herself in a dangerous and unnecessary situation.

Often young people think they are invincible and believe nothing bad will happen to them. Many female runners take the risk because they haven’t had a bad experience. PVCC women’s cross country team member Angela Petersen admits she sometimes runs alone but claims she’s been lucky so far

“ I don’t really enjoy it and I try not to run alone but sometimes it’s all you can do,” she said. Her teammate, Chrysten Baca, also takes a solo run from time to time. She hasn’t been as lucky. Baca experienced a scare while running in the Phoenix area while in high school. Two cars drove by and harassed her. The first car threw a cup of soda at her. The realism of the situation set in when the second car threw a knife over her head. “It’s scary running alone so I try not to,” Baca said. Both runners have been running competitively for less than 10 years. Each year of experience increases their concerns for running alone, they say.

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I was in such a state of vulnerability. That was enough for me.
—Katy Krausea
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Long time runner Katy Krause knows all about experiences. She is a noted runner from Tulsa, Oklahoma. She is in charge of a maternity ward in one of Tulsa’s hospitals and has 25 years of experience. Krause is most famous in the Tulsa area, but is known in Phoenix through long-time friend Coach Barney. She has many marathon performances to her credit.

Experience alone is enough to create the strong feelings she has about women running alone. Krause experienced a close call when she encountered a suspicious man on a solo river run in the Tulsa area. “ I was in such a state of vulnerability and I didn’t like it at all. That one experience was enough (for me) to never want to do it again,” she said. Fortunately, Krause was not attacked during the encounter but she reported it to the police nonetheless.

Officer Anthony Poulos of the Desert Horizon precinct of the Phoenix Police Department advised, “ In my five-and-a-half years on duty, I’ve never been on a call involving a female jogger being attacked because most encounters aren’t reported.”

Usually the cases reported are those that also involve a crime as murder or theft. Poulos himself runs and has had a few unwanted experiences. He, too, has had objects thrown at him and was nearly mugged on one run. “If you ever encounter a dangerous situation, report it right away for the safety of the community,” he advised.

Running can be a very dangerous situation for anyone. Being a female, on your own, makes it that much more risky. Experienced runners, law enforcement officers and even amateur runners all agreed on some basic safety tips, as follows:

• Always try to find a running partner or a group to run with—Power in numbers!

• Run in areas that are busy and have a lot of people around.

• Avoid running at night.

• If it is dark when you run, stay in well lit areas.

• Wear reflective gear to help cars know you’re there.

• Run against traffic.

• NEVER run with headphones on. You need to be aware of your surroundings.

• Plan your routes carefully and stay in areas you know well.

• If you have to run alone, carry a cell phone with you in case of an emergency.

• Avoid paths and parks. Try running in safe neighborhoods instead.

• If you’re unfortunate enough to get into a situation REPORT IT RIGHT AWAY.