Auto Theft

I tend to keep an extra pair of running shoes and clothes in the car in case I find time to get a run in. These are a main stay in my car and I never go anywhere without an extra pair of sneaks – just in case. I prefer to run from home but many of my running friends are becoming more interested in trail running which means driving to the trail head and leaving the car to head off into the trees. Whether trail running or simply meeting people for a group run, this is the perfect opportunity for thieves. It's tempting bait - a full line of cars in the ideal demographic.

Here are some interesting stats I found about runner demographics:

2008-2009 National Runner Demographics

• Male Long Distance Runners
• Average Age: 45 years old
• 54% are married
• 76% males had 2006 Household income of $75,000 or more
• 80% have college degree.
• 37% have post-graduate degree

• Female Long Distance Runners
• Average age: 39 years old
• 62% are married
• 64% females had 2006 Household income of $75,000 or more
• 79% have college degree.
• 42% have post-graduate degree
• Runners spend $125 billion on health-related goods and services
• 16 million runners have a household income of $75,000 or more.
• Nearly 55% hold a college degree versus the national average of 33%
• In 2007, runners spent $8.5 billion on their sport with $2 billion going to the purchase of footwear.
  

I recently heard about a couple of runner’s who had their cars broken into and now it all makes sense. You may be a good 6-10 miles away from your car while a thief is breaking into your vehicle. And unless you are Kenyan or run a sub 4:00 mile, I don’t think you’re going to be able to catch the bandit. I’ll continue to keep an extra pair of shoes and running gear in the car but I’m not going to hide it under a towel or some other cover to give the allusion there is nothing there. I’ll leave my old, broken in shoes and bright pink running shorts out in the open in the back seat. I’ll be able to catch the thief more easily if I see him/her wearing my hideous shorts.

All joking aside, the real lesson is not to leave ANYTHING in your car if you go on a run. Look around the lots where you park and don’t be an easy target.