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Getting Started: Safety

Woman Running at Dawn

For the most part, running is a relatively safe sport if you keep a few key precautions in mind:

  • Avoid running alone, but if you do prefer to hit the pavement solo, always let someone know where you are going and carry ID (consider getting a Road iD: https://www.roadid.com) and your cell phone.
  • Avoid running with headphones, but if you do need tunes to drive your run, be sure to either keep the volume low or keep one earbud out so you can hear your surroundings.
  • Always run against traffic if you are road running. By facing on-coming traffic, you may be able to react quicker than if it is behind you.
  • If you are running in the early morning or evening when it is lower light or dark, wear reflective and/or brightly colored clothing, running safety lights, and/or a headlamp.
  • Consider using an app like Road iD that tracks your movement, and will notify a family member or friend if you’ve stopped moving for too long.

You can find more helpful tips for running safely at:

Do you have a favorite safety tip or precaution?
Share it with us in the comments below!