Safe early AM running in Phoenix Park?

smallbrowncat

Hello all,

I recently completed C25k (yay!) and am now running about 30 minutes 5-6 days a week. Wanting to get some tips/gauge safety for running near and in Phoenix Park in the early morning.

I love running in the mornings - it's so fresh, peaceful and quiet, and puts me in a great mood for the rest of the day! But (especially as a 20-something female) I am quite aware of the potential dangers of running alone early in the morning. My husband especially is a bit concerned about my safety when it's still a bit dark outside. Is it safe to run in and around Phoenix Park from about 5.30-7am? If I'm out at about 6am I see a handful of cyclists, runners and drivers through the park and on the road - people on their way to work early, by the looks of things. Are there any other steps I can take to make me safer in the morning? I usually just run with my iPhone and headphones.

As I'm relatively new to Dublin and Ireland (about 7 months), I am not sure of how safe it REALLY is. Some mornings I see young women about the same age as me out running, so I guess it's ok....?

Any thoughts/advice would be very much appreciated!!! :pac:

Stark

The scum of the city tend to be late risers. The Phoenix Park is one of the safer areas of the city anyway, lots of women go running there alone without issues.

greenasgrass

Late risers and not that fit so you'll surely outrun them!

I'd avoid Military road at that stage of the day (pre sunrise anyway). Not many cars there even in peak hours and a few scobies do tend to hang around up there from time to time (have seen a few now and again drinking on the benches up there). I run in the park in the winter and try to avoid there as it's a bit lonely in the dark.

Otherwise I agree that Phoenix park is very safe. Better than running in a lot of places around the city I'd imagine. Stick to chesterfield ave, north road and the glen road (upper) if you are worried. Plenty of traffic (motor, cyclists and runners/walkers) on those routes. Also bring a phone if you need extra security, you can get a thing for your bicep that carries it for you.

thirstywork2

run on the grass beside the main road.phoenix park aint too bad especially in the morning.
I saw the park rangers driving into a certain area of the park last week and had a mega phone telling people to leave.Was funny as all these guys just ran out !!!

greenasgrass

thirstywork2 wrote: »

I saw the park rangers driving into a certain area of the park last week and had a mega phone telling people to leave.Was funny as all these guys just ran out !!!

HAHA!

Just to explain to the OP who's only been in Ireland 7 months, certain areas of the park are known for illicit sexual activity between men. Not sure where though.

Cabaal

Not even in Dubln myself but id suggest running without headphones so you can keep your wits about you

kingQuez

Anytime I've run in the park I haven't seen a soul at that time of the morning, but before the sun comes up its not a nice place to run. On chesterfield avenue you're blinded by the traffic heading to the city, and most runners/cyclists are insufficiently dressed/kitted out to be seen -- or so sleepy that they will still try to run into/over you. Off the main road its quite eery when its still dark, especially as you get well out on the other side of the park.

That said, I've never seen anything dodgy in the park in the mornings, and once the sun creeps up a bit I really love the remote parts of the park... bunny rabbits and deer and all that malarkey and not a sinner about.

I'd keep your headphones out until its bright so you have good awareness, and aside from that -- as others have said -- chances are you'll already be able to outrun anyone that might be of questionable character.

adagio

I run in the Phoneix Park from Furry Glen on trails @ 7am 6 days p/week in very quite and sometimes isolated areas and I've never had a problem (I'm male). It's an incredibly beautiful time of the day to run as the sun rises over the city and as you say it puts one in good form for the day.
If you spot a short guy w/a blue hat say hi
Enjoy.

onimpulse

I've run in the Phoenix park early in the morning as well - I tend to stick to the main road, (Chesterfield ave) and the North Rd. It's fine, mostly just people on the way to work and a few other runners / dog walkers.

I would echo the advice on avoiding Military rd though. You can get a few idiots around there occasionally.

The Fury glen is one place you definitely won't catch me unless it's broad daylight and lots of people around!

smallbrowncat

Brilliant, thanks everyone for your comments! Had a big LOL when I read what thirstywork said about the rangers chasing amorous gents outta the bushes in the park! Popular dogging location eh???

I feel pretty happy now to run in the park in the mornings - and I have been sticking to the main roads anyway. When it's quite dark I will keep my headphones off though - I did that this morning and just focused on my breathing instead of music.

most runners/cyclists are insufficiently dressed/kitted out to be seen -- or so sleepy that they will still try to run into/over you.

This is so true - I nearly got bowled over on Chesterfield Ave this morning by a cyclist with NO lights or reflective gear, dressed all in black!! Honestly - I wondered had he got a deathwish to get squashed by a sleepy driver or mangled up with a jogger?! I always wear something bright with reflective strips if it's dark, but I have actually been looking on eBay to find some LED flashing arm/leg straps. Would prefer that than a hi vis vest, but might have to go with the vest if I can't find a suitable LED item.

Adagio (and others) - I will indeed say hello if I see you, and do the same if you see a blonde Kiwi jogging along in fancypants Lidl running kit (honestly, I love it, it's brilliant and cheap as chips!!)!!

Stark

The green paths nearest the main road are the cycle lanes in the Park btw. Keep off those and you shouldn't have issue with cyclists crashing into you.

smallbrowncat

Stark wrote: »

The green paths nearest the main road are the cycle lanes in the Park btw. Keep off those and you shouldn't have issue with cyclists crashing into you.

I certainly do stay off em! That's why I was surprised to see said stealthy ninja cyclist about to bowl into me on the pedestrian path!

ocnoc

smallbrowncat wrote: »

cyclist with NO lights or reflective gear, dressed all in black!!

Organ donors....

Mr Slow

I've covered every road in the park normally starting at 9am and it feels very safe, granted I'm male and 6ft but am safety concious. With the Summer coming the amount of runners/joggers in the park will be growing. Stay around Chesterfield ave until you feel safe, then branch off on the main routes, as your mileage grows you'll be looking for new ground.

See you out there!

pavcro10

I used to live in that area before I got married and have never heard of anything undesirable about the park. Pretty safe I'd say, particularly in the early morning