As days grow shorter and stars glow longer, most runners have to wish their sunny runs goodbye for now. How will you cope? Switch to the treadmill, workout at lunch, or—learn how to run safely in the dark. With smart preparation, you can maintain your routine and stay on track with your goals through the coldest of months.
1. Shine bright.
You may love to blend in, but from dusk and dawn, you need to stand out. Best practice for running in the dark is to wear high-visibility clothing and gear. In other words: see and be seen.
Featuring 360 degrees of reflectivity, our Low Light collection and newest Dream Chaser shoes allow any passing light to illuminate your form. This goes a long way in helping other pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists identify you as a runner in motion. Bright colors are a great second choice.
Don’t stop there—this is your time to shine. Visit your favorite running shop to check out additional gear, from reflective vests and handheld flashlights to clip-on lights for wherever you need ‘em. Run with your pup? Don’t forget to accessorize them, too!
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2. Run together.
Step two: add another human or three or forty. As a female-founded brand, we are well aware there’s safety in numbers. Rally your fellow early birds, or log after-work miles with a trusted run club. Need a rec? Find a rabbitCLUB near you!
Even when out with the pack, it’s good to know your route. Traffic lights, varying paces, or a sudden injury—god forbid—can thin a group out. Ditch the headphones to stay alert, and chat with your new mates instead. Better yet, pair up with a designated buddy from start to finish.
3. Follow the rules.
Between sunset and sunrise, you could experience everything from rush hour traffic to quiet suburban streets. Especially with the latter, it’s tempting to switch up your routine and behaviors, but this should go without saying: play it safer than normal.
Follow the rules of the road. Stay on sidewalks and crosswalks, usually the most well-lit areas, whenever possible. If you have no choice but to pop into the street, always run on the left-hand side facing oncoming traffic. Keep your routes to familiar neighborhoods, avoiding uneven surfaces and high-speed areas. Though thrilling, the darkest hours are not the time to explore. (Oh no, you might have to plan another run for that…!)
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4. Earn extra credit.
Cherish your autonomy? Can only run at odd hours? We get that running with others may not always be feasible or preferred. Well, you’re about to become an overachiever! Check out our final tips for maximizing safety when heading out solo. (Psst: these work for groups, too.)
Share your plan with a friend, including your route and expected time of return. Next-level: use an app that live-broadcasts your GPS location to an audience of your choosing. On the topic of phones…always always carry your cell.
And again, a quick trip to your local running store can introduce you to a variety of additional gear like whistles, emergency sirens, and pepper spray. Take your safety into your own hands!
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Everyone deserves to feel safe running in the dark. Empowered by the right gear, plan, and a ton of new knowledge, you’re ready to take to the road any hour of the day.