SURF CITY, N.C. — Early in the mornings, the Topsail Area Running Club gets together for some miles. They don’t have a greenway to stay safe from traffic, but members are hoping one will come to the area soon.

What You Need To Know

  • A survey recently went out to the Surf City community gauging interest and need for a greenway

  • There is a lack of sidewalks in the city, making it difficult for runners

  • The Topsail Area Running Club was formed to bring the community closer through running

Many people use greenways to run, hike and walk to stay safe from cars and busy traffic in cities. That's why Surf City is working toward getting a greenway installed.

One of the five killed in Raleigh's mass shooting Thursday was using one of the city's greenways for her run.

Jennifer Smith says it is heartbreaking that some of the victims lost their lives using a safe place for a recreational activity they loved. 

“People are just doing what they love to do and are randomly attacked and, you know, your life is cut short,” Smith said.

Smith is an organizer of the club, formed to bring the community closer through running.

“People in the community out and doing something active and just all of us meeting up together and doing something that we like in bringing us closer,” Smith said.

Smith is training for the Wilmington Marathon and potentially an ultramarathon as well. She says she runs for many reasons.

“I love pushing my body through ... just pushing it through to where it just keeps me going and seeing what I can do. And I just feel like the body's an amazing thing and as long as you put your mind and everything through to it, then you’re pretty much able to do almost anything. And it helps relieve a lot of stress,” Smith said.

The club trains early in the morning because many of the runners need to get their miles in before they have to help their families or go to work. 

“It’s the only time we can really get it fit in in our daily schedule between work and spouses, everyday life,” Smith said.

Smith has many concerns when she goes out for a run, especially before the sun is up.

“We’ve been followed, we’ve been chased by dogs, and I think almost hit by cars. I think the scariest one out of all of them was being followed and then being almost hit by a car,” Smith said.

Another reason the group runs early is because that’s when the roads are the most clear of traffic. But in order to ease the worry of being hit by a car at any point of the day, the people of Surf City are working toward getting a greenway installed. Recently a survey went out to the community to gauge interest in a greenway.

“Most people that I’ve talked to though are for it and are very interested in having it, just because there’s not too many, so you do notice and you know there’s only so many areas that you can run that are safe,” Smith said. 

Greenways are meant to keep people safe, whether they are running, biking or walking. After hearing the news of Raleigh's greenway shooting, Smith explained her feelings of heartbreak and sadness.

She says she does not want to live her life in fear and not be able to run — that’s why her running group takes measures to keep safe.

“Obviously, our cellphones with us, all wear reflective gear and bring Mace, things like that. I mean just to be here on the side of caution,” Smith said.

In the past the group has done runs in honor of people who lost their lives while running. They will continue to look for ways to bring their community together. 

More information about the Topsail Area Running Club can be found on their Facebook page.