After a woman was assaulted at Greenbelt Trail in Clive, police and local runners offered these safety tips. Charly Haley/The Register
Runners in Corpus Christi are being warned to stay alert when they lace up, following a pair of recent Southside assaults that occurred as they exercised outdoors.
Corpus Christi police on Wednesday continued to search for a suspect who they say assaulted a woman jogging near Veterans Memorial High School Friday morning. They also were trying to put together clues of a shooting Tuesday night on a walking trail near Grand Junction Drive that left a 43-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his right arm.
Police declined to release information on the nature of the attack on the woman.
Running enthusiasts and schools located near popular jogging and walking trails, including Grant Middle School, responded by altering their routines.
Running groups at Dawson Elementary School, about a half mile from where the shooting took place, used a different route Wednesday as a precaution, Corpus Christi ISD police Chief Kirby Warnke said.
The school will continue to reevaluate the club’s route, he said.
The Arlington, Virginia-based Road Runners Club of America, the nation's oldest and largest association of running organizations, offers general running safety tips on its website. Among them are to learn self-defense, carry a noisemaker and practice memorizing license tags or identifying characteristics of strangers.
Corpus Christi Roadrunners President Doug McBee said the incidents have a way of affecting everyone who exercises around the city.
"It's not just our club. It's important for everyone out there ... runners, walkers, cyclists ... everyone to be very aware of what's around you," McBee said.
The Roadrunners have several groups that run together, though McBee said some people like himself exercise alone or during hours when the sun isn't out.
McBee said he starts his run about 2:30 a.m. each day before work.
"A lot of us get it done when we can and it's not always the best time to be alone," he said. "We always tell everyone to stay in well-lit areas and leave off their earphones. Avoid dark areas like trails and parks at night time or early in the morning."
"You tend to get into the run and get into a zone, but that can be dangerous," McBee said. "We need to be more vigilant."
Staff writer Meagan Falcon contributed to this report.
Tips on how to stay safe
- Don't wear headphones. Your ears may help you avoid dangers your eyes may miss during evening or early morning runs.
- Run against traffic. That way you can observe approaching automobiles. By facing on-coming traffic, you may be able to react quicker than if it is behind you.
- Carry identification. Include your name, phone number, and blood type on the inside sole of your running shoe.
- Always stay alert. The more aware you are, the less vulnerable you are.
- Carry a cell phone. Know the locations of public phones along your regular route.
- Alter or vary your running route. Know where open businesses or stores are located in case of emergency.
- Run with a partner. Run with a dog.
- Let people know where you are. Leave word of the direction of your run.
- Avoid unpopulated, deserted areas. Avoid unlit spots, especially at night. Run clear of parked cars or bushes.
- Ignore verbal harassment. Use discretion in acknowledging strangers. Look directly at others and be observant, but keep your distance and keep moving.
- Wear reflective material. Avoid running on the street when it is dark.
Source: The Road Runners Club of America