Runners Changing Routines After Murders of Joggers

The recent murders of two joggers in Massachusetts and New York has runners across the region on edge. As both cases remain unsolved, many say they are changing their routes and their routines in light of what happened.

This week, 27-year-old Vanessa Marcotte, a New York resident, was found dead after going for a jog while visiting her mother in Princeton, Massachusetts. Last week, in New York, 30-year-old Karina Vetrano was also found dead after not returning from a run.

Some say they have started running in pairs, while others say they are taking their headphones out to be more aware of their surroundings.

"I'm going to start having my mom come with me or just go to the gym more,” Amanda Aaragones said.

They say the sense of security they once felt while running during the day was taken after hearing Vanessa Marcotte first went out on a jog Sunday afternoon in Princeton. Her body was found hours later.

"It's a scary thing to think about," Natasha Spears said. "Thinking that you can't even be safe running a one-mile or a five-mile run."

Spears, who has trained for the Boston Marathon, said she plans on updating her friends and family even more when she goes on long runs, and technology can help with that.

There are several phone applications that allow friends and family to track your runs if you invite them to follow you on the premium versions, including Boston-based "RunKeeper."

"It knows exactly where you are and it does help because I run solo all the time," Tom O'Keefe, a tech expert and marathon runner, said. "They can see exactly every step you take and if all the sudden you stop, and there's no movement, they can notice."

It is a conversation the running community says they have to have, but a fear that will not keep them from getting out there.

"I'm going to continue running," Spears said. "I'm going to continue enjoying the city and enjoying my lunch breaks. It won't keep me inside."

Contact Us