CHARLOTTE PURDUE refused to go running late at night or through empty parks in training for Sunday’s London Marathon.
The safety of women on our streets has become a major talking point following the abduction and murder of Sarah Everard in March.
Everard, 33, was walking home alone at night when she was kidnapped, raped and killed by policeman Wayne Couzens.
The serving Met Police officer was this week sentenced to life in prison for his hideous crimes.
In recent days many women have revealed online their own near-escapes and encounters with dangerous men at night time.
Purdue, Britain’s fourth fastest woman of all time over 26.2 miles, said: “I’ve been thinking of the Sarah Everard case a lot the last few days.
“I personally only really run in well-populated places and in the day — not late at night or through empty parks.
“I hadn’t thought about it much before this whole situation but I definitely have to a lot more now.
“I run on the treadmill now when it’s dark and in winter because it’s a lot safer. In the day I do feel safe running outside by myself.
“I’d say more streetlights, and CCTV cameras, stuff like that would help. People have to make their own decision on if they feel safe or where they run.”
Purdue aims to use the 41st London Marathon — rescheduled from April — to show Team GB selectors were wrong to crush her Olympics dream.
The 30-year-old ran her PB of 2:25:38 at the 2019 London Marathon but was snubbed for Tokyo — with Brits Stephanie Davis, Jess Piasecki and Steph Twell all flopping in Sapporo.
It proved a very stressful time for Purdue, who was naturally left ‘gutted’, and she attempted in vain to appeal the decision.
The Aldershot ace claims there were untruths told about her training and physical condition in the selection meeting, which she was keen to rectify on the record.
And now seven months on, she feels let down by the lack of communication from UK Athletics about why she was ignored.
‘TOOK TIME TO GET OVER IT’
Purdue said: “It has taken some time to get over what happened.
“I was advised by the British Athletes Commission and they set me up with some legal advice.
“When my appeal was unsuccessful, they advised me to write an open letter to UK Athletics boss Jo Coates about the whole situation.
“I did receive a reply from her in March, a letter basically saying she acknowledged my points but I have had no communication since then.
“The Olympics is such a big thing and I felt I did deserve a spot in the team. I feel like I could have run well in Tokyo.
“I definitely haven’t forgotten about it but I just want to move on now and focus on Sunday.
“The point to prove is more to myself that I’m back to my best rather than me proving anything to someone else.
“It’s definitely tainted my desire. I’d obviously love to represent GB again but I definitely won’t forget about this whole year and situation.”
Source: Athletics - thesun.co.uk
