How to Run Safely in the Dark

With the winter season in full swing, the nights are starting to draw in before the working day has even finished which means that the majority of people are running in the dark. Here at Bookit Zone, we want our readers to exercise caution when they are running in the early morning or late evening. Read on as we go through three safety tips that every runner should remember when they are heading out in low-lit conditions…

Be Seen

As a runner, it is your responsibility to ensure that you are seen by drivers. From jackets to wristbands, there are dozens of different options when it comes to reflective running gear that will guarantee your safety in low lit areas. They work by reflecting the lights of car headlights so that a driver is able to know that something is there, even if they can’t completely see you.

Find a Buddy

With crimes like assault on the rise, running alone is no longer as safe as it used to be. In fact, both women and men are at risk of becoming a victim of crime as they are training for a big event because it is easier to target someone who is alone and vulnerable. As a result, you should try to run with a buddy or a group when it is dark.

Stay Local

Trying a new running route is the perfect way to break up your training and ensure that it doesn’t become a monotonous chore. With this said, it is important that you try to stick to your local area and the streets that you recognise. In fact, it is heavily advised that you stay in residential locations when you are running in the dark rather than taking country lanes or shortcuts because most criminals tend to strike when runners are isolated and away from busy streets. 

Training for big running events takes time, perseverance and motivation and this means that you will likely have to run under the cover of darkness to stay on track. It is easy to completely block out your surroundings as you train and that is when the danger becomes most apparent. After all, women are most vulnerable to assault when they listening to music and drivers will struggle to see a runner if they are not wearing reflective gear. To find out more information, get in contact with a member of the Bookit Zone team today!