‘I WAS DETERMINED NOT TO LET ONE INCIDENT ROB ME OF MY HOBBY’

Emily Buchanan, 41, a mum of two from Yorkshire

‘I took up running five years ago, after completing the Couch to 5k programme. As someone with two small boys in the house, I loved the headspace and sense of freedom it gave me. Buoyed by the sense of achievement I got from challenging myself, and knowing that I was becoming a stronger runner each time I laced up my trainers, I signed up for a 10k challenge and, after that, a half marathon. But within months, I understood why so many women associated my new hobby with a sense of threat. I was running alongside a main road one May morning in 2017 when a van put its brakes on just ahead of me; the driver slowed to a crawl until he was right alongside me, and I could see he was masturbating.

Feeling sick and vulnerable, I changed my route to loop back home, but he followed me. Flooded with adrenaline, heart pounding, I sprinted the few minutes to my front door. My husband – a police officer – said I should report it. I was so glad I did – it turned out the driver was already on their radar and had tried to grab an 11-year-old walking in the street earlier that day. It was only 10 days before I felt ready to run again – but it took years until I was able to run without fear. When men shout at me about my appearance while I’m running or try to talk to me, it doesn’t really bother me. But when a man passes me in the street on his own, I feel frightened. I now leave my phone at home as I worry it’ll make me more of a target, and I forgo blasting my playlist through my headphones so I can stay alert. I’m determined not to let that incident rob me of my hobby.’