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As the clocks go back and evenings become darker, many runners face a dilemma: stick to the routes they enjoy or change their habits because they do not feel safe.
Scarlett Ward refused to let fear make that decision for her.
After being chased while out on a run, she was determined not to give up a hobby that had become an important part of her life.
"They attack you twice if they make you give up what you want to do, especially something you're passionate about," said the runner, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire.
Running had already become far more than exercise for Ward.
Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 28, she suffered a severe attack that left her unable to walk, talk or eat independently and was told she might never walk again.
"Being able to run whenever I want to now feels like a rebellion against my illness and something that I'll never take for granted," she said.
It was while out running in Porthill, shortly after moving to the area, that Ward had an experience which tested that determination.
She said she had been following a route through a park when she noticed a man sitting on a bench wearing a balaclava and a hood.
After running past him, she glanced over her shoulder and realised he was running after her.
"It was so scary because the path turned into a field and then into a bit of a forest and it was just absolutely horrifying," she said.
As she tried to process what was happening, one thought kept running through her mind.
"You are not prey. You will not be preyed upon."
Ward said she stopped, turned around and began shouting at the man, who then ran away. She later contacted police.
Despite the incident, she was determined not to let it stop her running.
Instead, Ward turned to social media in search of local running groups and found a community which helped rebuild her confidence.
Rob Moran, who runs with Ward as part of the group, said incidents like hers were concerning but not uncommon.
"Unfortunately, we have heard one or two stories of that going on," he said.
"It's really sad, isn't it? But it's part of the times that we live in, I think."
Moran said women often faced additional concerns when exercising alone.
"If you run on your own as a male, you can be susceptible to somebody having a go at you. You're not immune to that, being a man, are you really?"
"But certainly, the ladies, I understand why they can feel so vulnerable."
He said the group worked to ensure nobody was left behind, regardless of ability.
"We'll always muster back," he said.
"There are faster runners and slower runners, but there'll be somebody running with somebody who's got a similar pace."
Chris Bailey said the running community had helped him build lasting friendships.
"I've made so many good friends through running. It is a fantastic community, there's no question," he said.
"They're such good people, all with the same mindset and goals."
Bailey said reports of runners feeling unsafe were disappointing.
"There have been several this year that we've heard of locally," he said.
"For a woman, you should never be feeling that way, that you can't go out and just run. It's not right."
He said groups such as theirs provided reassurance for people nervous about running alone.
"Nobody should be made to feel like they can't go out and run in safety," he said.
"We're very inclusive. Anybody that wants to come and join us is more than welcome."
For Ward, finding that support helped her regain confidence in a sport she never thought she would be able to enjoy again.
"It's not all doom and gloom, and the running community is so lovely that there's people to go running with wherever you look," she said.
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https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/runner-chased-man-balaclava-refuses-061501970.html
