Mccolgan reveals safety fears over training runs after dark
British runner Eilish Mccolgan says she would be “very hesitant” about running after dark, as more athletes speak out on the issue of women’s safety in the wake of Sarah Everard’s murder. The topic has garnered increased attention as details of Everard’s abduction, and subsequent murder, in March, were released last week ahead of her killer Wayne Couzens being handed a rare whole-life sentence, and after the murder last month of primary schoolteacher Sabina Nessa.
Mccolgan, who last month finished second at the Great North Run, addressed the growing worries around women’s safety at night, and credited her flexible training hours with helping her to feel comfortable during long runs. “I’d be very hesitant about running in the dark. It will be the same for women all across the world,” Mccolgan, 30, said. “I’m in the fortunate position of being a professional athlete and being able to train 24 hours a day.
“My partner actually cycles along with me most days, so I never really feel unsafe.”
The Scottish athlete’s worries were echoed by fellow distance runner Charlotte Purdue last week.
At last Sunday’s London Marathon, Purdue became the third-fastest British woman in history over the distance, but she described feelings of anxiety around solo training at night and revealed that she runs on a treadmill during the darker winter months to feel safer.
“I only really run in places that are well populated and in the day,”
Purdue, 30, said. “I don’t really run late at night or through empty parks or stuff like that.
“I hadn’t really thought about it too much before, but I definitely have to think about it a lot more. I run on the treadmill now when it’s dark and in the winter because it’s a lot safer.
“I don’t know what really could be done. I’d say more street lights, and CCTV cameras, stuff like that would help.”
Everard’s death sparked a national conversation around male violence and female safety, and prompted the fitness industry to address how it could help. Last month, running app Strava announced it would open up its Beacon feature – which allows users to share their live location with friends – for free to all users, instead of only paying customers, in order to help people feel safer when out running.