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Female Runners Taking Extra Precautions After Princeton Murder

WESTON (CBS) - Investigators say they're still sorting through hundreds of tips as they try to find the person who killed a jogger in Princeton on Monday.

Vanessa Marcotte is one of three women runners murdered in the last two weeks in three different states. A source says Marcotte's body was naked and burned. Those tragedies have some amateur athletes worried and rethinking their routines.

The Suburban Striders, an 11 year old running club of women from MetroWest made up of casual runners all the way to marathoners, met for their regular run on Wednesday. The Wednesday group run is at the Weston High School track, but for the rest of the week, each runner is on her own.  The murder of Vanessa Marcotte is top of mind.

"I think it makes us stop and think before we go on our run," said Stephanie Hawkinson, one club member. "You know I have to think about where I'm going to run, where I'm going to be while I'm running, do I need to tell somebody before I leave and where I'm going and what time I expect to be home," she added.

Sharon Yogel said, "this woman was out at one o'clock in the afternoon, that seems quite reasonable. She's in her neighborhood and look what happens."

Vanessa Marcotte
Vanessa Marcotte (WBZ-TV)

"I've had people approach me and say some things, do some things that were pretty scary and it kind of opens your eyes," said Kathy Fleming, the coach of the Striders.

They rarely listen to music while running, they vary their routes and avoid trails or secluded roads unless they have a running partner. All things men don't have to think about.

"It's an unfortunate fact of life, it's something as women we have to accept. I think most of us always know we have to be more careful," said Joanna Schmergel, a new member of the group.

The tragedy in Princeton is causing a reevaluation, but no one is getting off the road.

"I want to be able to keep doing what I love, and just think a little more carefully before I step out the door," says Hawkinson.

"Running alone is what I can do when the kids go to school," said Lisbet Rauh, "and I can't always find someone to go running with. So what am I supposed to do?"

"No it's not going to stop me from running but it has taken away from some enjoyment of running," said Fleming.

Though none of the Striders carry pepper spray, some women do and others use tracking apps so family or friends know where they are.  Some companies are even marketing weapons for runners.

A self-defense expert in neighboring Leominster, where Marcotte grew up, has been training his summer campers this week on how to protect themselves.

"This is a person that could be on drugs. This is a person that could have a mental health issue, or this could be a very angry person who has another issue with you," said Kevin Bliss. "If you stop and confront them you're going to escalate it. You want to de-escalate it and run."

Police are still warning women to use caution, as there has been no arrest in the case, and they believe it could be a random attack.

They're looking for information from anyone who saw people or vehicles that may have stood out on Brooks Station Road in Princeton between 1:00 and 4:00 pm Sunday. Police have set up an anonymous tip line: 508-453-7589.

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