Is it safe to run to Denmark Hill at 6am in the morning

[reneet]

hinking of running in the morning. Is the grove vale, DKH, champion hill route safe at 6am in the morning? Any incidents?

[ianc]

I regularly run elsewhere in East Dulwich, around 6am. My theory is that most muggers aren't up at that time. It may be naive theory, but so-far it's proved to be correct. I'd say you should be safe round DKH at that time.

However, never flash an iPod or iPhone, if you're running accompanied by music. Those armband holders are rather a foolish way of advertising your gadgets :-)

[minder]

Isn't it still darkish at 6am now and in a few weeks will be dark.

If you're a woman I wouldn't put myself in that position.

[treehugger]

Yes

[Earl Aelfheah]

I was running back from Waterloo yesterday afternoon. Some of my workmates joked about whether it was safe running through south London. I causally cast aside such lazy stereotyping of my neighbourhood, only later to find my intended route (down Thurlow road) barred by copious amounts of police tape.

This probably proves that I'm not a good judge of these things, but for what its worth I still think running to denmark hill should be fine.

[KidKruger]

I'd say it's fine, but it's not me running alone in the dark.

It'd be a real drag to exhaust yourself running over the hill only to be too weak to fend-off an attacker !

[Jeremy]

Nowhere is London is completely safe, but this doesn't sound too high risk. I would suggest that you don't carry money or a phone, stay aware of your surroundings and don't listen to music.

[Louisa]

Sick of south London stereotypes. Is any large city safe to run in at any time? It's a matter of chance and bad timing if you run into a mugger or any other criminal activity. I wouldn't run through Hackney or Tottenham at 6am on a dark morning but maybe I'd consider Dulwich Village. Stereotypes work both ways.

Louisa.

[lnprett]

I don't think it is sterotypical to worry about running in South London (or anywhere else in London) it can be quite rough and if it is still dark at 6am I wouldn't feel comfortable despite living around here all my life and being quite street wise. I think you have to be careful because people are often up and about at that time coming home from clubs or just hanging around! You do hear of stories about women runners being targeted. I would say go for it but just have your wits about you and stay away from any parks or woods

[taper]

I run anywhere anytime, but am a large male!

I think on a dark morning at 6am you are fine on the streets, particularly busy ones. Parks might be a bit iffy at that time occasionally. Camberwell Grove is certainly safe as houses at that time. Only early morning commuters about. So if you stick to the main roads you'll be ok.

[KidKruger]

Nothing can be discounted off-hand, a woman runner was attacked in Dulwich Park on a weekday in mid-afternoon a few weeks ago, so a dark quiet area half-way to Camberwell is surely at least equally dangerous a location.

I'd say to my missus yeah go for it but as others have said, no headphones or gadgets, stick to popular roads and don't respond to distractions from people.

[Earl Aelfheah]

Not sure I agree with the 'ok for men, but take care ladies' view. In truth men are probably more likely to be victims of a violent street crime, but either way no one should feel scared at the prospect of walking (or running) the streets at 6 am.

[Gidget]

There was a spate of people being mugged at cash points on Lordship Lane, (particularly remember the Barclays one) in the early hours of the morning. Presumably they were targeting people on their way to work. So yes, muggers are around at that time.

[dulwichgirl2]

I wldnt run anywhere in the dark - Knightsbridge, south Kensington, Denmark hill or hackney - and Wonder if you could go at lunchtime instead.

[taper]

"Not sure I agree with the 'ok for men, but take care ladies' view"

Not what I'm saying. I'm saying my 5 year incident free experience of running early in the morning around here might be something to do with my size and appearance. But I'd say running at that time on main streets is fine.

[SueJ]

I had been going out at 5.30am with my brother and dog until last week (when bro twisted his ankle) anyway, he must have looked like dog walker and me jogger. I was going on ahead to get car when I felt a 'presence'. In between us was a man walking maybe (IMHO) a little too fast, this was Friern Road btw.

I turned, looked at him, he then speedily entered a gateway, appeared to knock on a door then exited the path within a few seconds.

I found it very strange behaviour for 6.10am or anytime for that matter - as did my brother.

Nothing happened to either of us but the behaviour was just very edgy. And I am not suggesting anything was going to happen, it was just very strange that's all.

I would say leave it til after 6.45am when many more people are around and always be with someone.

[KalamityKel]

Oh come off it you can run in to problems at any time of day whether it's dark or not. If you're concerned about safety you should either find a running buddy or just not go at all and continue to live in a bubble.

I get fed up of friends commenting they don't feel safe travelling here and there at such a such a time (grown adults!) especially when, compared to my travelling habits which are incredibly random, it's not particularly late.

You should always have your wits about you whether you're running, walking or skipping along a road.

[womanofdulwich]

http://www.jagssportsclub.co.uk/opening-hours.asp

you could always run indoors -if you don't mind paying.

[maxxi]

Safe. As long as you are not carrying scissors.

[Earl of East Dulwich]

womanofdulwich Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> http://www.jagssportsclub.co.uk/opening-hours.asp

>

> you could always run indoors -if you don't mind

> paying.

How much is this per month?

[theron]

If you have a dog you could run with your dog? I have a six o'clock in the morning job before school, and I take my dog when it's still dark to make me feel safer. It works!!!

[rjsmall]

I've run around East Dulwich and the surrounds at 6am and as late as 8pm when it was dark and haven't felt in danger. I think it comes down to running in areas where it is well lit and not off the beaten track. I wouldn't go running around Dulwich Park or similar in the dark - I tend to stick to the main roads. If I didn't run in the dark I wouldn't get out between October and March.

rjsmall.

[Dopamine1979]

Speaking of running can any avid joggers out there suggest a fairly quiet route from London Bridge to East Dulwich? Preferably avoiding Walworth road/Elephant and castle.

[taper]

Dopamine1979 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Speaking of running can any avid joggers out there

> suggest a fairly quiet route from London Bridge to

> East Dulwich? Preferably avoiding Walworth

> road/Elephant and castle.

Easy. Head up to Peckham Library, down the Surrey Canal Path, over Burgess Park and either up the OKR or in parallel to it until you get to the Bricklayers Arms flyover. Under the underpass, up or in parallel to the road that leads you to Tower Bridge and then down the southbank to London Bridge.

[Dopamine1979]

taper Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Dopamine1979 Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Speaking of running can any avid joggers out

> there

> > suggest a fairly quiet route from London Bridge

> to

> > East Dulwich? Preferably avoiding Walworth

> > road/Elephant and castle.

>

> Easy. Head up to Peckham Library, down the Surrey

> Canal Path, over Burgess Park and either up the

> OKR or in parallel to it until you get to the

> Bricklayers Arms flyover. Under the underpass, up

> or in parallel to the road that leads you to Tower

> Bridge and then down the southbank to London

> Bridge.

Nice one. Thanks.