Earlier darker nights making it a worry for Teesside women exercising
A new poll's found almost two thirds are concerned that it's too unsafe
We are hearing how some women in Teesside are scared to exercise in the earlier dark nights.
A new poll has found it is a worry for almost two thirds who are concerned that it is too unsafe as there is a risk of intimidation or sexual harrassment.
Vicky Fawcett has been a run leader for 14 years and manages Stockton's 'Sisters Are Doing It' running groups for the last eight years. She said: "You can feel a little bit vulnerable when you're out in the dark nights and I think when it gets darker as well, especially at this time of the year, the bad weather conditions as well play a lot of part in your safety when you're out running; you can come across alot of trip hazards and a lot of wet and fallen leaves.
"I can understand where women can feel a little bit anxious especially if you're new to running and you don't know where to run or where all the street lighting is going to be. I think for me for going out running in the dark is by pre-planning where you're going to run, so know exactly what route that you're going to go down.
"I love running in the daylight and I love running in the summer months but I'm not too keen on running in the dark myself but as a more experienced runner, it's all about the planning and for me, I joined a group and they're run leader lead as well so all that anxious and safety aspect is taken from you.
"It would make it a lot easier for runners and make them feel more at ease if we were given a little bit of space and also, sometimes you get cyclists coming from behind you. When I've gone out running in the past sometimes people have their dog on a really long lead or they don't have the dog on a lead at all. It can be a little bit frightening if the dog's coming towards you.
"I know us women like to dress in darker colours but the advice I give to my group of runners is to be bright and be seen so dogwalkers can see you coming, when you're crossing over the roads and cyclists can see you coming. If you are running out on your own, tell somebody what route you're going to take."