Expert shares tips on how to stay safe while jogging
An expert shares safety tips for solo runners.
Following the deaths of five women in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, over the past two months, female runners have been urged to exercise in groups.
The women were killed in separate incidents over the past two months in Kempton Park, near OR Tambo International Airport.
While the motive behind the killings remains unclear, the incidents have raised concerns among runners across the country, with many questioning how they can stay safe while exercising alone.
East Coast Radio spoke to Michaila Banger from Run or Walk for Life, which provides running clubs, about some of the safety precautions runners can take.
Find a safe space
One of the most important precautions is to find a safe space to exercise. This could be within a residential complex or estate, at the beach, in a park or anywhere where runners regularly gather.
Banger also recommends finding out when local running clubs hold their weekly training sessions and joining them where possible.
"Try and find a group that you’re going to exercise in,” Banger says.
Banger says runners should avoid isolated areas and instead choose routes that are open and visible, with good visibility of surrounding traffic and other people.
Choose the right gear
Having the right gear can also make a difference.
Runners should wear visible clothing and use reflective gear, particularly when exercising near roads or in areas where visibility may be limited.
"Make sure the clothes you wear are visible in the area that you are exercising or jogging in,” she says.
Use tracking gadgets
Technology can also be used as an additional safety measure.
Banger says runners who have devices such as Garmin watches can make use of tracking features, allowing family members or loved ones to know where they are. This can also make it easier to alert someone if there is an emergency.
"Just make sure that you also are able to alert your family should something happen to you while you are on the road with the safety features,” she says
Pick the right time to exercise
Choosing the right time to exercise is important. Banger recommends running while the sun is out and avoiding times when it is dark or visibility is poor.
Be mindful of your surroundings
Runners should also be aware of their surroundings when using gadgets such as phones, headphones and earbuds. While technology can be useful, listening to music at a high volume or becoming distracted by a phone can make it difficult to hear what is happening around you.
For runners who prefer exercising alone, taking a few extra precautions can help them remain aware of their surroundings and reduce unnecessary risks.
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