Finding new trail running routes is a challenge.
Finding safe, new running trails is even more of a challenge. Especially if you don’t know where to look and the safety features to look for.
To help ease the challenge, here are 5 features that make a safe trail running route.
- Wide and Straight
Unlike a narrow trail with so many corners that you can’t see someone approaching, a wide and straight trail provides easy visibility that brings a sense of safety to someone running on it alone and for the first time.
2. Good Lighting
A well lit trail helps you to see everything that’s happening around you clearly, and react on time.
3. Has People
A route packed with other runners, walkers, and bikers will automatically make you feel safe because there’s an extra set of eyes just in case of danger or injury.
4. Well-Marked
A well-marked nature trail (either with ribbons, tapes, flags, etc) offers direction.
It also shows that the people maintaining it care about the visitors’ safety which brings a sense of freedom and comfort.
5. Flat and Smooth
To a new runner, a terrain with fewer obstacles (hills, rocks, roots) is a clever, and safe way to warm up to the sport.
It will also help you build and strengthen your running muscles without the risk of injury.
6. Has Low Traffic
Running in an area with a lot of activity can easily cause accidents.
It can also put you at risk for scrutiny which can bring anxiety and fear to run outside.
Therefore, choose routes with little or no traffic because there are more comfortable to run on.
Conclusion
Sometimes running outdoors alone comes with lots of anxiety and worry.
With this post, we hope to have answered one of your worries on what to look for to ensure a route is safe for running.
Any other characteristics of a safe trail running route you would want to add to this post?
Kindly share in the comment section below.
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