Is it safer to run in the morning or evenings?

Posted by pinkestpenny@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 30 comments

Hi all!! I recently got my absolutely BEAUTIFUL sixth form timetable changed so now it’s looking incredibly grim and I’m now kind of forced to run either early in the morning or late in the evening so I can cycle/swim/gym in the other since I’m currently training for a triathlon 🫠🫠 I’m a 16yo girl so I’m kind of anxious about being out alone in the early morning or evening even if it’s lighter now, I’m awake at 4:30 anyways so that isn’t particularly an issue but I kind of really don’t want anything to happen to me? Up to now I’ve been home by 3pm to go out so I’m fine to go wherever, but my usual route takes me through some paths which I think would be less than desirable in the dark so i probably will have that up. I don’t run with headphones in since I’d genuinely fall over something because I can’t focus on 2 things at once but I’m not sure what other precautions to take? I’ve been chased by a guy who later got arrested for something else before, so I’m a tad iffy on what to do. If anybody has any advice on if to go with mornings or evenings it’d be greatly appreciated, thank you!!

30 Comments

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zanz38@reddit

If you are a natural am runner do the morning if you are a natural pm runner do the evening, I'm a 1-3 pm time of day runner so would do an evening run

pigeonfancie@reddit

Living zone 1-3 London, have run in the mornings (5-6am) for over a decade. I stopped running in the evening partly/largely because of feeling intimidated by kids/men/white van drivers. The mornings are much more peaceful. Take a personal alarm or use a tracker on your running app to be on the safe side if you have concerns x

Fancy-Professor-7113@reddit

Could you join a club? If not, mix it up, don't run the same route at the same time every day. Go as late as you can get away with in the morning or as early as you can in the evening. Don't run in the dark and try and run routes where there are other people around. Speaking as a middle aged woman the size of a 12 year old with 2 teenage daughters a bit younger than you. Oh, and make sure someone at home can track you as well. Take care x

LocalMendicant@reddit

Difficult one. My daughter runs after dark sometimes and away from towns in countryside paths - I'd rather she didn't but at 25 it's her decision. I would try and run in the day and around people. A park may be a good option but beware parks on Summer evenings when it may appear daylight but families have gone home. Sort of late afternoon or mornings are maybe good when you get dog walkers out. In the dark I'd stick to lit streets. I hate saying it as one of my great measures has been to go out running on my own in quite remote areas and after dark sometimes - and women should be safe to do the same - sadly the risk from some men is real.

Mavz-Billie-@reddit

Probably mornings

DutchOfBurdock@reddit

Safe is defined only by you. Walking/cycling to work each morning and coming back each evening, I see more joggers during the morning, but generally less people. Evening and there are more people out for walks with their kids and families. I'd suggest jogging when you feel it safer. Use a smart watch with a feature that can share your realtime location with friends, family and loved ones so they know where you are. Even better if the watch has an emergency function that can call 999 or an emergency contact and share your location in real-time.

Freedom-For-Ever@reddit

Can't you join a local running club? Where I live the local running club has multiple runs most days some evening, some mornings at different paces. Much safer to run with a group...

CountryMouse359@reddit

I have absolutely no experience of running as a 16yo girl, but instinctively I'd say the morning as the creeps will normally be asleep. If you want to take precautions, make sure you always have your phone and you could always carry something like farb gel, which isn't considered an offensive weapon. Just only use it if you are certain someone is trying to hurt you.

Dimac99@reddit

My initial thought was early morning for the same reason, but then I thought about how it being quiet overall is a bad thing because there's safety in numbers. There may be more creeps around in the evening but there's also potentially more witnesses to scare them off. I think the best thing OP can do is join a running club or find a running partner, especially a male one. Even if nothing properly dangerous happens to her, sexual harassment of female runners is endemic. Being 16, she will be especially vulnerable.

StereotypicallBarbie@reddit

I run early mornings (or did when o was into it) However i have a dog who lets no one get anywhere near me.. I wouldn’t fancy doing that without my dog! It can be pretty desolate early mornings! Depending on how late you can go.. 6/7pm there’s still lots of people around..

spoo4brains@reddit

Am not a jogger or female, but I go out for walks early sometimes. At around 6am the only people I see are people going to work, or dog walkers, or other people walking. I feel it is way safer in the morning than evening when there are a lot more underisables around.

GrabbedByTheGhost@reddit

I'd say your absolutely fine to go running in the evening especially now the nights are getting brighter. Definitely run on a easily seen route though, if you do have reservations.

pirategospel@reddit

Dislikes from men who haven’t answered and don’t like the idea of themselves as potential creeps, no doubt. I would run in the evening as it’s likely to be more populated. I’ve always felt morning runs are creepier.

Strong-Librarian-OOK@reddit

See I always feel safe running in the morning. Maybe it’s the area I’m in, but in the morning where i generally run there’s quite a few other morning runners, and dog walkers. In the evening there’s generally people boozing on the park benches.

pooflaps50@reddit

We should all run in the morning before the horrible men wake up. They’ll all be asleep after doing unpleasant things all night until the early hours. And they don’t like sunshine anyway. It really does make sense as long as you are back by 11am latest, earlier if possible just to be extra careful

SomeHSomeE@reddit

How late are we talking? 7-8pm probably better than 5am. But 5am probably better than 10pm. Can you adjust your route? Especially if there are popular dog walking routes etc you can focus on

Interesting-Band4443@reddit

Always use safe and busy routes. It's a safe country but things do happen. As a female myself, I always run when it's bright. I don't do early mornings or after dark. I am privileged to be able to run at lunchtime, during work break. I do change my running schedules to accommodate runs during bright and light hours of the day. Doesn't matter what others tell you, only go when you feel safe. Follow your gut instincts.

yes1402@reddit

I am a man, and I run when it is daylight hours. The only place I run in the dark is my estate. I live in a very lovely estate and do feel very safe here. Your advice is spot on.

daniscross@reddit

Most watches (Garmin etc) provide live tracking, so you can share this with contacts automatically if that gives you more confidence. You'll have to run with your phone for it to work, but worth taking it anyway in case of an emergency. Strava provides a similar service (beacon) if you can't afford a watch.

spanakopita555@reddit

Maybe you could start a run club for your sixth form? If you have a shower block at school, you could all go in a lunch break or free period, or do a session right after school. Another option could be to run from school to the gym/pool.

nonoanddefinitelyno@reddit

I always recommended my daughters to try and avoid repeating the same route at the same time every day. The chances of anything awful happening in the UK are minimal, but non-zero.

I am a man. But I will not run outside of my estate in the dark. No ifs no buts Outside of my estate, I run only when it is daylight, and on pavement in streets. I will advise you to run only during daylight hours. Some people might condemn what I have said, calling it victim blaming. That is why I started by saying that's what I do too. I just don't want to be statistics. I prefer to be safe than sorry

No_Chemist2922@reddit

Mornings feel safer compared to evenings. As another poster has mentioned, shady people tend not to wake up early in the morning.

TrappedUnderIceSpice@reddit

Hi! The threat of being kidnapped, raped or murdered can happen in both the morning and the evening! Stay safe out there 💕

CuratorOfNoise@reddit

This is impossible to answer without knowing the area you live (do not disclose this on Reddit). My wife will happily do a 6am run as we’re near a public park / beach / main roads, but would never have dreamt of it in our hometown on a slightly rougher estate with mainly residential roads. All I would suggest is if you live near a dog walking park, then that is generally a safe bet from 6am up until 9pm unless you’re in a dodgy area.

AonghusMacKilkenny@reddit

Evenings will probably have more people roaming about. People coming home from work, dog walkers, etc. Try both and see which you feel more comfortable with. I'm so sorry this is your reality :( you deserve to go for a run and feel safe

b1ggu5dicku5@reddit

Please join a club. You'll be able to run with other people, you'll be safer together and everyone is typically lovely (imo). I joined a running club at 16 and made lifelong friends. A lot of them offer free trials if you want to see if it's for you.

No-Salt6819@reddit

As a father of two young daughters, I'm so sad that this is a question that needs asking. What time are you talking in the evening? I would reach out to your local running club and if you can't make the sessions, all if any members are out running. I'm sure if you explain your predicament, a female would be happy to run with you. My guess is mornings are safer, but as I said, it's such a sad situation. I hope you manage to find a routine that works for you!

Nielips@reddit

Run when it's light, but do remember as much as the news tries to make it seem otherwise, the UK is an extremely safe place relative to most of the world. Have you considered finding a local running club or going with friends, that might make you feel safer, irrespective of statistics?

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