How to Stay Safe When Running

Staying safe when running is essential whether you’re a beginner or have been running regularly for years. Our virtual running events at ACE Races offer complete flexibility, allowing you to run anywhere and at a time that suits you. Take a look at our top tips for staying safe when running day or night. 

Always Be Aware of your Surroundings 

The most important thing to remember when running outdoors is to always be aware of your surroundings. It’s important to keep yourself and others safe, so always watch out for pedestrians, vehicles, cyclists, dogs and children playing. If you like to listen to music when running, make sure that the volume is low enough for you to hear any potential dangers, or consider only using one earphone in busy areas.  

Plan Your Running Route 

Before running, it is usually best to plan your route and ensure that you are familiar with the area. This will help you to figure out the safest running route, not get lost and avoid any dangerous roads or poorly-lit areas. 

Trust Your Instincts 

If when out running you feel concerned about another road user, feel worried about your safety or have a bad feeling about heading down a certain road or trail then it is always best to trust your instincts! You should always prioritise your safety and protect yourself if you ever feel uncomfortable by turning around, running away from the area, calling for help or crossing the street. 

Run Facing the Traffic

If you’re running on the road or pavement, then it is safest to run facing traffic rather than with your back to oncoming vehicles. This will improve your visibility to drivers and give you more time to decide whether you need to turn out of the way. If you’re running around blind corners, try to jump onto the grass verge or pavement and stay aware of the direction of traffic. 

Run in the Day When Possible

Running in the dark or at night can be riskier than running in the daylight when you can see your running route more clearly and are more visible to other road users. The risk of being assaulted is also decreased by running in the day as there are often more people around and fewer blind spots. It is also recommended that you make the most of designated running routes, public paths, and recreation spaces where there are other people around rather than running in isolated areas. 

Wear Reflective Clothing 

If you do choose to run at night, or in the dark of the early morning, then you must wear reflective clothing to improve your visibility to others. If you don’t have reflective clothing, you should still wear running clothes in bright colours such as white, yellow, neon green or orange. You should also aim to avoid dark areas and poorly lit streets if possible. 

Find a Running Buddy

If you’re concerned about your safety when running alone, then it may be a good idea to find a running buddy and hit the pavement with a friend. This is one of the safest ways to avoid danger, and can also help you to stay motivated and achieve your personal fitness goals. If this isn’t possible, there are various smartphone running apps available that allow you to track your run in real-time and share your location with friends or family. 

Running with a furry friend can also provide extra security as well as companionship. Take a look at our beginner’s guide to running with your dog.

Keep Your Phone On

In case of injury, accident or an unexpected incident, it is best to always run with your phone on your person so that you can call or text for help if required. It is also a good idea to save your emergency contacts so that their number is easily accessible. Before heading out for a run, let a friend or family member know you’re estimated return time. If your plan changes you can always let them know by text. 

When you enter a virtual running race with ACE Races, you can also use your smartphone to track your time and running distance as evidence for your medal. 

There’s Always A Race Near You with ACE Races 

With ACE Races you can compete in a wide range of virtual running events anytime, anywhere! This means you can complete a 5k, 10k, half-marathon or marathon race in the safety of your local area whether you choose to run the roads or do laps of the park. Discover more about our virtual races, and find out how to enter a virtual race today!