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Nike's Women's Safe Night Run draws about 100 joggers

2 miles of sweat promote campus safety

About 100 students - some geared with spandex shorts, others water bottles and many wearing UA T-shirts - set out yesterday to run a two-mile route in support of campus safety.

The event began at about 5:30 at the University of Arizona Mall stage, and included representatives from Nike, UAPD and two UA women's sports teams.

"Basically UAPD is coming out and we are informing students how to protect themselves when they are exercising on campus or around at night," said Leigh-Anne Brown, communication junior and a coordinator for Nike's Women's Safe Night Run.

"It's very important for everybody to support this issue, and I have gotten a lot of feedback from men as well as women saying they are interested in taking part," added Brown, who is also the UA Nike representative.

Armed with a microphone connected to a karaoke mixer, UAPD police officer Paul Reinhardt told the crowd composed primarily of female students that the "university is a lot safer than it was when I came."

However, he did not fail to add that safety precautions are still important.

"Run in groups despite the U of A being reasonably safe and let people know where you are," Reinhardt said.

One of several coordinators, business junior TaKisha Morgan said she expected the run to take from eight to 20 minutes, depending on the person.

Morgan added that the event was a "part of Nike's different events that they promoted for safety on campus" among universities the company sponsors.

The first run - which took place in October - drew a crowd of about 200 to 250 participants, Morgan said.

Last night's run was supported by many members of the UA's Wildcat Icers - the women's club hockey team - and the women's lacrosse team.

"We're here with our hockey team to participate in this run because it is safe," said Zeina Saad, a geology sophomore. "I am all for a campus being receptive to women being safe on campus."

Saad, who said she sometimes walks and runs alone on campus, said she is somewhat concerned but feels fairly safe on campus.

For women, like herself, who usually feel safe on campus, she said active participation is meant "to show support."

"The more people that show up the better," she added.

Warren Peters, a communication senior and one of the few men present, said "it's not a gender type issue - it's about assessing yourself."

Peters added that one of the program's efforts was to allow those interested to seek information.

"We want to promote safety that is unaware to students and not just for women," Peters said, adding that men are also interested in safety issues.

B.J. Cordova, environmental science junior, sided with Peters in saying events like the run do not always appeal strictly to women - men are also interested.

"It's not that big of a deal to me," Cordova said of the low number of male participants. "I enjoy jogging so I decided to come support."

Cordova also said that he participated to "support my lady friends."