Why it matters
Running shouldn’t be a calculated risk. But for millions of women, it is.
According to a global Adidas survey, 92% of women say they feel unsafe while running. Harassment, assault, and fear are common companions in what should be a peaceful pursuit.
Running Mate, an app founded by Atlanta ultrarunner Dena Lewis, is stepping into that space with a simple idea: give runners a way to find safe, verified running partners — and maybe start to shift the culture in the process.
How it works
The app functions like any other gig platform:
- Runners and “mates” set up profiles with pace, age, and location.
- Everyone passes a background check before getting access.
- You can schedule a run in advance or book one on short notice.
Each session costs around $25. Mates earn between $10 and $15. The app is now live in several U.S. cities, including Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Tampa, Denver, Salt Lake City, and Charleston.
The origin
Lewis created the app after surviving a violent assault in 2010 — one that happened during a run, just a mile from her home.
“I remember thinking, ‘I would literally pay someone to run with me right now,’” she told GearJunkie.
That instinct became Running Mate — and the response, Lewis said, has been overwhelming. “Women are saying thank you for giving us a voice.”
The response
While 70% of the app’s users are women, about 30% are men — often joining to support family members or partners.
“I like the fact that we have so many men signed up,” Lewis said. “The men who are runners just want a buddy. The men who are mates are often concerned about someone in their family.”
It’s also gaining traction among frequent travelers — runners who don’t want to ditch their training plans just because they’re in an unfamiliar place.
Zoom out
Beyond the app, Lewis is growing the idea into a movement.
She launched the Runner Safety Summit — a series of events that combine self-defense training, awareness campaigns, and grassroots organizing. Local leaders are taking note.
“Protecting access to being outside is essential to our mental health,” said CT White, who runs a club in St. Petersburg, Fla. “Some of these women are shook for days. It can seem harmless, but it’s not.”
The big picture
The numbers are hard to ignore:
- 46% of women runners say they’ve experienced harassment, according to RunRepeat.
- Women are three times more likely than men to report it.
- CBS News found that 67% of women fear being physically attacked on a run.
Lewis’s long-term vision is to make the app free, supported by corporate partnerships. But for now, she’s focused on building in cities where the need is clear — and the community is ready.
