At Mallusk Harriers we are located in a rural setting with some beautiful scenery and some great runs. We like to adhere to the following common sense practical advice. We have a strong community ethos and look out for each other. In general, it is essential that you wear sensible, visible kit in which to run, warm-up and down appropriately and have water for those hot days when running in summer.

General Safety Principles when running with the Mallusk Harriers

1. RUN AGAINST TRAFFIC so you can observe approaching vehicles unless this means running on the inside of a blind bend. Cross well before the bend and return as soon as it is safe to do so. Wear running sunglasses to protect from both the suns rays and road debris flicked up from car tyres. Where there is a path, use it!
2. WEAR REFLECTIVE MATERIAL and or lights if you run before dawn or after dusk.
3. When approaching an intersection/T-junction, make eye contact with the driver who is waiting to proceed onto the main road. If the driver does not see you, pass behind the car. Always check over your shoulder for traffic when negotiating a road crossing. (Paddy!)
4. Always stay alert and aware of what’s going on around you. The more aware, the less vulnerable you are.
5. Never assume that because you have heard/seen a danger/obstacle that your fellow runners have. Make the call to advise them and maintain this habit.
6. Trust your intuition about a person or an area. React on your intuition and avoid a person or situation if you’re unsure. If something tells you a situation is not “right”, it isn’t.
7. Ignore verbal harassment. Use discretion in acknowledging strangers. Look directly at others and be observant, but keep your distance and keep moving. Do not be abusive.
8. Dogs can be dangerous, so avoid eye contact and slow to a walk if threatened.
9. When running with a group, the club ethos is to re-group if there are runners of varying abilities. At the end of the run, ensure that all members of the group return safely. Ensure that runners are aware that they are to advise you or other in the group if they drop out of a run.
10. If leading a run, set a positive example by practicing the advice set out in these guidelines. Forsake all else for safety!!

Further Safety Principles when running alone

11. DO NOT WEAR HEADSETS. Use your ears to be aware of your surroundings. Using headphones, you lose the use of an important sense: your hearing.
12. Carry a mobile phone or change for a phone call. Know the locations of telephone boxes along your regular route.
13. Alter or vary your running route pattern; run in familiar areas if possible. In unfamiliar areas, such as while travelling, contact a local running club or running shop. Know where open businesses or shops are located.
14. Run with a partner (or let them accompany you on a bike). Run with a dog.
15. Write down or leave word of the direction of your run. Tell friends and family of your favourite running routes. This could make the difference!
16. Avoid unpopulated areas, deserted streets, and overgrown trails. Especially avoid unlit areas, especially at night. Run clear of parked cars or bushes.
17. Carry identification or write your name, phone number, and blood type on the inside sole of your running shoe or on the back of your watch. Include any medical information. Don’t wear jewellery.
18. Practice memorizing car registration numbers or identifying characteristics of strangers.
19. Carry a noisemaker.
20. CALL POLICE IMMEDIATELY if something happens to you or someone else, or you notice anyone out of the ordinary. It is important to report incidents immediately.
21. Create a network of women runners. Create a system whereby you can find other people to run with.
22. When running in winter, be aware that the road or trail could be icy and so sometimes in these conditions the sensible choice is not to run – the risk of an accident is perhaps too high!