A recent study by Adidas revealed an unsettling truth: 92% of female runners feel concerned for their safety, and over half are afraid of being physically attacked. It shouldn’t be this way. Running should be a freeing, empowering experience—not one filled with fear.
At Safely, we understand these concerns firsthand, and we believe that no runner should ever feel unsafe. This belief drives everything we do—from hosting safety events to sharing practical safety tips and providing self-defense tools designed for runners. Our mission is simple: to help change this troubling statistic and create a safer, more supportive running community.
Building Safety Through Community Events
We know that education and awareness are key to empowering female runners. That’s why Safely regularly organizes how-to-use events and self-defense workshops in partnership with local running stores. These events offer runners practical skills, hands-on experience with safety tools, and actionable advice on staying safe during their runs.
For example, we’ve hosted events at Fleet Feet locations and participated in major industry gatherings like The Running Event (TRE). These events have not only provided valuable resources to runners but have also opened up important conversations about safety. Seeing women leave these events feeling more confident and prepared is why we continue to do this work—it’s a step toward making running safer for all.
Sharing Tips to Stay Safe on Every Run
While events create opportunities for direct engagement, we also believe in the power of ongoing education. Through our blog, social media, and email newsletters, we regularly share safety tips aimed at helping runners stay alert and prepared. These include:
- Letting someone know your route before heading out
- Running with a buddy or joining a local running group
- Carrying a self-defense tool, such as pepper spray or a sidekick
These are small steps, but they can make a big difference in helping runners feel safer and more confident. Our goal is to build awareness and encourage runners to be proactive about their safety—while acknowledging that the burden shouldn’t fall solely on them.
It Shouldn’t Be This Way
The fact that so many female runners feel unsafe highlights a societal issue that requires more than just individual action. As Adidas’ study pointed out, while 62% of men recognize the issue, only 18% believe it’s their responsibility to help women feel safer. It shouldn’t be solely up to women to protect themselves—it’s a shared responsibility that requires cultural change, allyship, and education.
At Safely, we believe that real change happens when communities come together. That’s why we actively seek to build partnerships with running stores, local organizations, and advocacy groups to raise awareness and foster safer running environments. We couldn’t do this alone, and we’re grateful to be working alongside retailers who share our vision.
Partnering with Running Stores to Drive Change
Our partnerships with over 100 stores, including several Fleet Feet Locations and Gazelle Sports Locations, have allowed us to expand our reach and provide safety tools to more runners across the country. These stores are more than just retail partners—they’re community hubs that play a vital role in educating runners and making safety a priority.
By stocking products like the Safely Sidekick and Safely Pepper Sprays, hosting safety events, and sharing our educational resources, our retail partners are helping us drive grassroots change in running culture. Together, we’re working to ensure that safety becomes a standard, not a concern, for every runner.
Continuing the Mission
We know that addressing runner safety is a marathon, not a sprint. Every event we host, every partnership we form, and every product we create is part of a larger effort to build a world where runners—especially women—can feel safe doing what they love.
To those who have joined us on this mission, thank you. Your support allows us to continue this important work. And to those who want to get involved—whether by stocking Safely products, hosting an event, or simply sharing safety tips with others—we’d love to connect. Together, we can make running safer for everyone.