In November, Safely had the honor of participating in an important panel discussion at The Running Event (TRE), the premier gathering for running retailers and industry leaders. The panel, titled “DEEP DIVE: Empowering Female Runners: Strategies for Enhanced Safety and Confidence,” brought together innovators, advocates, and those directly impacted by the issue of runner safety.
Safely joined a powerful lineup of panelists, including:
- Dena Lewis, founder of the Female Runner Safety Summit and founder of Running Mate, an app like uber for runners.
- Faith Chima, founder of FitSafe, a platform dedicated to helping athletes stay safe through education and technology.
- Lina Khalifeh, founder of SheFighter, the first self-defense studio for women in the Middle East, dedicated to empowering women through martial arts and personal protection.
- Abby Lokits, who shared a personal and deeply moving story about the tragic loss of her sister-in-law, Alyssa Lokits, while out on a run, highlighting the urgent need for change.
A Shocking Reality: Why This Panel Matters
Safety isn’t just a personal concern for runners—it’s a global issue. A recent study by Adidas found that 92% of female runners don’t feel safe while running, highlighting a pervasive problem that can’t be ignored. For many women, something as simple as going for a run comes with fear and risk, and that needs to change.
This panel was designed to spark meaningful dialogue about these challenges and how retailers can play a pivotal role in creating safer running environments. We were thrilled to see a strong turnout and even more excited by the engagement from attendees, many of whom asked thoughtful questions and shared ideas about how to make a real impact.
Key topics of discussion included:
- The importance of equipping runners with safety tools, such as wearable self-defense devices like the Safely Sidekick.
- Creating partnerships between retailers and safety-focused organizations to host safety workshops and events for their local running communities.
- Raising awareness through education campaigns that encourage safe running habits and preparation for worst-case scenarios.
Hearing these ideas and seeing the enthusiasm from retailers made it clear: the running industry is ready to take action and support female runners beyond just performance gear.
Why We’re Committed
At Safely, our mission has always been to create products and resources that empower women and help them feel more confident and prepared—whether they’re out for a morning run or walking home late at night. Participating in this panel reinforced why we do what we do. Safety shouldn’t be an afterthought; it should be something every runner feels equipped with before they hit the pavement.
Seeing other panelists and attendees share that same passion for change was inspiring. This isn’t just a conversation—it’s a movement toward making safety a standard in the running world.
How Retailers Can Lead the Way
Retailers are uniquely positioned to drive change by making safety tools more accessible and fostering education around personal safety. Whether it’s by stocking essential self-defense products like the Safely Sidekick, partnering with safety organizations, or hosting in-store events to raise awareness, there are many ways to support this critical mission.
If you’re a retailer looking to get involved, we’d love to partner with you. Together, we can create a safer running experience for everyone.
Looking Forward
We’re proud to have been part of this discussion and grateful to TRE for providing a platform to address such an important issue. While this panel was just one step, it’s part of a larger journey toward ensuring that all runners—especially women—can feel confident and empowered every time they lace up their shoes.
To all the retailers who attended, thank you for your engagement and commitment. Let’s continue to work together to build a future where safety is a given, not a concern.
If you’d like to learn more about Safely’s products or discuss partnership opportunities, feel free to reach out. Together, we can empower female runners and make a lasting difference in the running community.