A woman has issued a dire warning after she managed to escape a “deranged” man who began chasing her while she was out for a run.
Nikki Obispo, 28, was training for a marathon in Albert Park Lake, south of Melbourne’s CBD, last Thursday when she noticed the man staring at her as she ran past him.
Obispo said he “did a complete 180 degree turn” to continue looking at her, which gave her the “most heartbreaking feeling.”
Despite taking off at almost full speed, she was unable to outrun the man who was gaining ground behind her.
His fears grew as the rustling sound of a plastic bag wrapped around the man’s hand grew louder, with no indication of what was inside.
She managed to scare him by abruptly turning around and ‘screaming’ at him before quickly continuing her escape.
Obispo had assumed Melbourne and Australia were much safer for women and had let her guard down since moving from the UK two years ago.
Instead, she has become one of a growing number of women who have been intimidated by a stranger while running alone.
Melbourne woman Nikki Obispo (pictured) has revealed the shocking moment she was chased through a popular park in Melbourne’s CBD by a ‘deranged’ man.
She said she felt “compelled” to share her story on TikTok so that women can learn how to “protect ourselves when we’re alone.”
“I cannot suggest what we can do at a time when you are really so vulnerable and helpless,” Mrs. Obispo said.
“But I know there are some things I can do as a precaution to limit the chance of it happening again.”
She credited her headphones, which do not completely cover her ears, as being crucial in hearing the man and warning him away.
“Honestly, I think hearing him turn around, look at him and then yell at him may have saved my life,” she said.
Obispo also suggested running with a friend, partner, or joining a running club for added group safety, no matter how enjoyable your route.
“Even though the race I was running was in a nice, well-lit area, there will still be areas that are unlit and hidden,” he said.
‘That’s just it, unfortunately. What happened to me?
She added that her boyfriend, who normally runs at a much faster pace, now slows down to stay by her side and avoid further confrontations.
Ms Obispo managed to scare the man at Albert Park Lake (pictured) after “screaming at him”, which she said probably “saved my life”.
Several social media users recounted their own incidents while running and shared tips they had learned to stay safe.
“I’m glad you were okay, but it’s so frustrating that women don’t feel safe anywhere,” one user wrote.
‘Why can’t they just leave us alone?’
“Something similar happened to me a few months ago while training – I used to run onto St Kilda beach and get chased in broad daylight,” wrote a second.
A third said, “It sucks having to be conscious constantly. I feel sorry for just going for a walk in my neighborhood, it’s not fair.”
Another suggested carrying thermal spray, used to relieve muscle tension, for protection, instead of pepper spray, which is illegal to possess in Australia.