One factor that seems to hold many runners back from making the switch to trails is the misperception that trail running is a dangerous sport. Though it is true that videos of Killian Jornet running along crazy high ridgelines do little to ease those fears.
Trail running is a relatively safe sport with low injury risk. Trail running removes the biggest danger that runners on the road face and that is traffic. Sky running as a division of trail running does have a higher risk but that makes up a tiny percentage of what is trail running.
Let’s have a closer look at what those risks might be and how to deal with them.
Is Trail Running Dangerous?
There are many people who argue that trail running is more dangerous than other forms of exercise. The increased risk is not only physical but psychological as well.
Many runners will say the risk increased because they have to be more aware of the environment around them, picking their way across trails and hillsides with steep drops off the side, or navigating through trees and bushes with roots, rocks, and uneven pathways. Furthermore, you can’t always see oncoming cars or obstacles like potholes in the road while you’re running.
So, you’re more likely to get hurt? Maybe, but probably not.
The risks of going out for a run on a typical street usually aren’t even on the radar of most runners until they experience something unfortunate first-hand (i.e., getting hit by a car).
Is Trail Running In The Dark Dangerous?
Running in the dark, especially through areas you don’t frequently visit, poses obvious risks. But the same could be said for running on well-lit city streets during the day.
But even if you are familiar with trails and where they lead to, as soon as you turn off your headlamp and run in the dark of night all bets are off. You’re relying solely on your senses of sight and sound – what you can actually see and hear in real-time – to give you feedback about your surroundings. There’s no way to know what’s around that next corner or what’s covered by a thick layer of leaves that has been undisturbed for months or years (so it looks like there is nothing there).
Is It Safe To Run On Trails Alone?
If you choose to run on trails alone, you must be aware of the risks and do your best to mitigate them to reduce the odds of anything bad happening. You should take precautionary measures such as bringing a cellphone, pepper spray, or a self-defense weapon (i.e., a knife).
You also want to make sure that you are adequately prepared in case something happens and you need assistance. For example, it is recommended that you always carry a properly charged phone with emergency contact numbers saved in the address book (in case it has no service) and/or an ID card or bracelet with your contact information on it.
Is Trail Running More Dangerous Than Road Running?
Not necessarily. Yes, trail running does pose some risks and dangers that you don’t experience when running on a paved road. But the risks and dangers involved with trail running are not significantly higher than those of road running.
Trail running is actually very similar to road running in terms of land use, terrain and climate – so the risks associated with it are very similar to those of doing something as mundane as jogging along a suburban or rural road. Despite this, some people still believe that trail runners pose more risk than road runners due to the risk of getting hurt in an unfamiliar environment.
How Do I Protect Myself While Trail Running?
There are a few things you can do to reduce the risks.
First and foremost, it’s important to always be aware of your surroundings and not let yourself get distracted by music or chatting with friends. It’s not likely that a rattlesnake is going to jump out at you from nowhere, but you never know. It can happen, so keep your eyes open and pay attention.
Another way to protect yourself from injury or serious harm is to stay on the trails and stay away from areas where there is no path or only one that is too narrow for two people to pass each other.
Along those lines, it’s also necessary to be careful about what you wear when you run. Don’t go out in shorts and a lightweight shirt. You’ll have a difficult time fitting through some trails and bushes if you don’t have proper clothing for it. And even if that doesn’t happen, the last thing you want is to get stuck in a thorny bush or a pile of leaves that sticks to your clothes and scratches your legs or face.