How often do you consider the safety of your surroundings when running? While running has surged in popularity, with race registrations soaring and running shoe brands experiencing record sales, many women face a growing, unsettling fear, as reported by CBC. The recent, tragic case of Alyssa Lokits, who was murdered while running in Nashville, highlights this issue and raises questions about safety for women runners everywhere.
A culture of fear
On Oct. 14., 34-year-old Alyssa Lokits was fatally shot while jogging on a popular trail. Witnesses reported hearing her scream for help, then hearing gunshots. Despite taking precautions, such as running during the day and practising self-defense, Lokits became yet another name in a disturbing list of women killed while exercising. “Alyssa did everything right,” noted an Instagram account dedicated to her memory, encouraging people to run or walk for her at the same time she was attacked. “It is unacceptable for a woman to go on a run and not make it back home.”
“Finish the Run” event planned in Toronto after runner violently assaulted
In Sept. 2022, Eliza Fletcher, a 34-year-old mother of two, was running near the University of Memphis where she was grabbed and forced into an SUV. Her body was found days later, and her accused killer will face trial in February.
A body found in Memphis has been identified as that of Eliza “Liza” Fletcher who was abducted while jogging last week. The suspect will be arraigned on charges including first-degree murder — adding to kidnapping and other charges. @GaryTuchmanCNN has the details. pic.twitter.com/BMd7G8P0dH
— CNN (@CNN) September 7, 2022
There are many more women recently attacked or killed while running, and not just in the U.S. They include Johannesburg school teacher Kirsten Kluyts, who was pregnant when she was killed. And Samantha Murphy, 51, of Australia, a mom of three.
Statistics paint a complicated picture
Despite the alarming news stories, crime statistics indicate that attacks on women runners in Canada are rare. According to Statistics Canada, only one per cent of gender-related homicides are committed by strangers, and the rate of gender-related attempted murder has been declining since 2017. Nevertheless, the stories of Canadian women murdered while running still resonate. Vancouver’s Wendy Ladner-Beaudry and Toronto’s Margaret McWilliam were both killed during routine runs, and their cases remain unsolved. This lingering fear is echoed by Susan Ibach, an Ottawa-based runner, who remarked, “Even here in Ottawa, yes, it’s something I do think about.”
While attacks on women runners may be rare, most women report experiencing harassment while running. New research out of Simon Fraser University reported that women trail runners were more likely than men to report losing cellphone service and being afraid of other people; the women were also more afraid of encountering other people than they were of encountering wild animals (such as cougars). In July, Toronto runner Sarah Rose Black was violently assaulted while running on Yonge St. in broad daylight.
The reality of harassment
A survey by Adidas found that a staggering 92 per cent of women reported feeling concerned for their safety while running. Half of those surveyed feared physical attacks and a significant number experienced harassment. Another survey by Runner’s World revealed that 60 per cent of women reported being harassed while running, with many feeling so threatened they feared for their lives.
This pervasive fear impacts how women prepare for their runs. “I travel for work and frequently run in new cities, and I have to be careful not to run in the dark,” Ibach shared. “I try to stay in hotels close to popular running paths.” The desire to stay safe often means making adjustments to routines and locations, a reality not faced to the same extent by male runners.
I also have some safety tips to share as it’s a scary time to be a woman who runs alone:
👀If you see a women jogging, don’t murder her
🔪Leave your knives and guns at home
👯♂️Bring a buddy who can stop you from doing murders https://t.co/59YL30WXeC— Aubrey Hirsch (@aubreyhirsch) September 22, 2022
