{"id":66697,"date":"2026-02-13T10:24:09","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T10:24:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shefnews.co.uk\/?p=66697"},"modified":"2026-02-13T13:02:23","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T13:02:23","slug":"sheffield-run-club-launches-new-womens-buddy-system-to-keep-runners-safe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shefnews.co.uk\/index.php\/2026\/02\/13\/sheffield-run-club-launches-new-womens-buddy-system-to-keep-runners-safe\/","title":{"rendered":"Sheffield run-club launches new women\u2019s buddy system to keep runners safe"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Hillsborough and Rivelin Run Club<\/a>, which was formed in 2020, has introduced a new buddies system as a way to track female solo runners and keep them safe when out and about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The system works by tracking runners on WhatsApp groups – the members get separated into groups of ten, and then enable tracking features on WhatsApp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They inform the group on when they plan to leave for their run, the route they intend to take, and when their run should end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If a woman feels vulnerable on their run, they are all instructed to send a gibberish message by smashing the keyboard of their phone, this will alert other members that they are unsafe\/feeling vulnerable, and then further help can be contacted if necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Laura Stenton-Slater, 36, and co-captain of the women\u2019s division of HRRC, said \u201cWhen I go for runs in the early morning, it\u2019s common to feel unsafe and unsettled. My routes change every week to avoid predictability, and my world feels smaller each day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to feel unsafe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of this new network, the committee of the club also funds every woman to have a panic alarm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are not compulsory, but every woman is offered one when she joins the club, and they are free to all members – 98% of members opted in to having one on their persons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The alarms are designed to flash repeatedly and make a loud sound when activated, and are used in the hopes to spook off potentially dangerous people and to draw attention to a situation where they feel unsafe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mrs Stenton-Slater is currently working on plans for all runners to learn first aid specific to the activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She hopes that this change would further protect women\u2019s and men\u2019s safety on runs, and would create an environment where people feel more prepared on solo-runs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone involved in the club has been supportive of the changes being proposed, and have said they will support any future proposals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mrs Stenton-Slater said: \u201cmale members have offered to do anything to help, whether that\u2019s changing paces, leading or tailing the group, or just communicating their running plans to other members.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She hopes that in the future, there will be more efforts made to help raise awareness on safety for all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div>\n
\n
View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

A post shared by Hillsborough and Rivelin RC (@hillsboroughandrivelinrc)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n