Paramedic Asks Runners to Stay Off Roads When Sidewalks or Paths Are Near

To the editor:

You know, Northfield has a great area for runners to get in great exercise and scenery at the same time. I see people running along the roadways constantly.

That’s great, but they need to think of me. Runners really don’t want to meet me on a professional basis. As a Paramedic, I often think about the runners I see running on our roadways. That is a very dangerous thing to be doing. The part that I can’t understand, is that this happens even where there is a wide sidewalk or better yet, a paved trail just a few feet away from the runners. Yet they still run on the road.

Please think about it. Are you tough enough to win an argument against a car or worse yet, a truck? If people continue to run on the roadways, they are sure to meet me or my colleagues in a professional manner. Please, stay off the roadways where there are sidewalks and trails. It makes our jobs, much easier; and you will stay much healthier. 

Northfield Paramedic