Running Scared

With Halloween approaching the spooky season is upon us, so we asked Running Bug members to share their most spine-chilling running experiences...

Haunted Running Route
I run early in the morning, usually before it gets light. Running in the dark never bothered me before my friend told me that one of the big houses on a lane I run down was haunted. After hearing that I felt spooked when I passed that old house. I was too stubborn to change my route, but I sped up a bit every time I ran past it until…

One morning I tripped and fell right in front of gate, letting out a bit of a whimper. Dusting myself down, I heard a strange creaking noise coming from the house. I always thought no one lived there, but I looked around to see an old woman standing in the open doorway. I tried not to look as scared as I felt and shouted what was meant to be a cheery “good morning”. She just looked at me, turned and went back inside, slamming the door behind her. The funny thing was, the house appeared to be in complete darkness and no lights came on after she went inside.

I told my friend and she said she thought the house hadn’t been lived in for years. Did I see a ghost? I don’t know if I’ll ever find out – I changed my route after that. All for the best really, I have to run an extra half mile every day!
Jane

Terror in the Tunnel
There is a disused railway line on the south-side of my town - all tarmac now, so used by runners/walkers etc. A bit isolated, but nice. It was a dark, rainy day and I was halfway through a 10 mile attempt, iPod blaring in my ears, when I reached this section and began to run through the long old tunnel. About halfway through, I caught sight of a dark figure racing directly behind me. In fact, they were just about upon me.

I’m a Scot, from the west coast, and letting out a shrill yelp is not the sort of thing I’d normally do… I spun around to see who was there, my heart nearly banging out of my chest.

It was just the overhead lights casting my own shadow. I knew that all along of course!
CCRider

Thunder Struck
When I ran the 24hr Thunder Run with the Running Bug relay team I had a 3am slot. Some of the route passed through woodland. The organisers had hung glowsticks which gave off an eerie glow, otherwise it was completely devoid of light and you had to rely on the limited viewing angle from a head torch.

I was struggling along slowly through one of these very lonely places when I heard a commotion behind me punctuated by a loud screech, startling me somewhat. Being the gentleman and true hero that I am… I upped the pace and ran for it!

By the time of my next lap it was light. When I arrived at about the same spot I saw a killing had taken place - a big pile of bloody feathers lay on the ground.

A wild animal or one of the solo ultra-runners trying to get in some extra protein? We’ll never know!
BatRunt

Ghost Siren
One of my regular running routes takes me past a disused army barracks from the 1940s. It's normally quite busy up there, with other runners, dog walkers, army people on exercise, etc. A few weeks ago, I headed out for my usual run in the morning, on a particularly bright, sunny day. As I was going along happily, listening to the birdsong (and my heavy breathing!), I was stopped in my tracks by the eerie sound of an air-raid siren. I couldn’t understand why it would be going off – could it have been a ghost siren from the past?

It was only when I got home and switched the news on, which was reporting on various fly-pasts by Spitfires and church services, that I twigged it must be related to Battle of Britain commemorations!
RachelMBX

Footsteps at Dusk
It wasn't really dark, just at that dusky sort of stage. There is a path running alongside a park near me which is sheltered by trees and can be fairly creepy. My housemate doesn't like me walking along it at night for this reason. Anyway, as it was dusk and I was running, I thought I'd be fine. So, I'm plodding along and I can hear this patter of footsteps behind me, very quietly. I stopped. They stopped. So I carried on, thinking "I'm nearly home, don't worry" even though I'm sure I'm being followed.

Eventually I looked around and saw it was a bloody cat!
Helsie

Tell your terrifying training tales in the comments box below...