It’s a sad world we live in when women can’t feel safe doing something they love — like running.
Just a few weeks ago, Eliza Fletcher was kidnapped and murdered after going out on a run early in the morning. Her death was completely senseless and rocked the running community.
With people on high alert, people are applauding a woman on TikTok who had the perfect reaction after noticing that a car was following her.
Meet Samantha MacIntyre.
Like Eliza Fletcher, she’s a dedicated runner, one who has spent the last few months training for her second marathon.
She’s been documenting the process on her TikTok account, @sageandmaize . But one of the 24-year-old’s latest videos was much different from the others.
Her eight-mile run started just like it did any other day, with her documenting the process to inspire other runners.
But it soon turned into a nightmare after she noticed that a man in a red car was following her.
“There’s a guy in a red car that’s driven by me twice,” she said.
“And every time he drives by me, he has his arm out the window and he’s, like, looking behind when he’s driving by. It’s making me really nervous.”
She kept peeking over her shoulder to try and spot him.
“I don’t know if I’m being paranoid, or what. Just documenting this just in case.” After 10 minutes of not seeing him, she saw the car parked ahead of her.
This left her fear-stricken. “I don’t know what to do.”
“I do not feel good about this,” Samantha said to the video. “I have to run by this car to get back to my car, though. There’s literally no other way around.”
Thankfully, she trusted her gut and decided to not run by the car.
This happened just as the driver pulled out of the spot, causing her to panic with tears. Instead, she approached a nearby homeowner who she often saw doing yard work or playing with his kids.
“There’s this guy who keeps driving by and parking — do you mind if I just stay in your yard? My mom is going to come pick me up,” she told the man.
You could hear the fear in her voice as she said, “I’m just really worried that he’s going to do something.”
The video then switched to a brief shot of Samantha and her mom talking to a police officer, and then of Samantha safe in a car.
“Obviously that run did not go as planned,” she began. “Just please be aware of your surroundings when you are going on runs.”
“Carry protection with you,” she continued.
“Just be safe. If you have a gut feeling that something doesn’t feel right, please go with that gut feeling. You’d rather be safe than sorry,” she added.
“I’m glad I called the police, I’m glad I called my parents to come pick me up.”
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So many commenters were also happy that Samantha trusted her gut in a scary situation.
“I’m so proud of you for calling the police and asking for help and just all of it,” one commenter wrote.
“Proud of you for listening to your gut and asking for help!!” another added.
“Smart girl,” agreed a third. “This makes me cry. I have felt your fear. I’m glad you’re safe.”
The situation hit close to home with Eliza’s death. “Eliza was just going for a run in Memphis too. Always trust your gut!” a woman wrote.
You can watch the scary video for yourself. Be safe out there, ladies!
