Hundreds of runners take to Mount Coot-Tha to 'reclaim the trails' in face of recent attacks

ABC NEWS (Australia)

The event was organised in Brisbane to give people confidence in running the trails in the wake of random attack. Four incidents on paths at Mt Coot-tha, and one nearby, were reported to police in May and June.

Transcript

00:00Taking back their inner city sanctuary.

00:04They don't feel that they can be out on the trails doing what they love.

00:08Because of fear, several menacing incidents against women

00:12on Mount Coot-tha's tracks sparked serious safety concerns.

00:16It's stopped women, especially, to get out on these trails on their own,

00:20you know, which they love to do.

00:22I have a lot of friends who are not out on the trails at the moment.

00:25They're running on treadmills or they're running on the road

00:28or they're just not running at all.

00:30In a Saturday morning show of solidarity,

00:33hundreds of hikers, walkers and runners came together

00:36to reclaim the trails.

00:39I think it's a great response to what happened.

00:42It's very important for us to stand up and show our support.

00:45Labor MP Jonty Bush organised the event.

00:48It's been a really great opportunity to bring people together,

00:51to get out on the trails and to remind people that they are really safe

00:55and we need to keep them that way.

00:57Police have ramped up patrols

00:59and Council has installed 80 security cameras.

01:02They cover all entries and are monitored 24-7.

01:06The message from the hundreds of women here today is clear.

01:10They deserve to feel safe on these trails

01:13and they're taking them back.

01:15I'm hoping this will be that tipping point for people to go,

01:19OK, let's get back here, this is our mountain, you can't keep us away.

01:23Men have an important role too.

01:25If you see something that doesn't look right,

01:27then speak up and say something.

01:29Everybody's really supportive of this whole idea

01:32that we don't put up with not being able to do what we love,

01:37get out on the trails.

01:39These trailblazers are doing just that.

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