Celestine Ndinda opens up on safety concerns women face when going out for a run
By Trizer Lijondo, September 16, 2026Content creator Celestine Ndinda has opened up about the safety concerns that can run through a woman’s mind before stepping out for a jog or walk.
In a video shared today, Ndinda reflected on the death of a woman identified as Elizabeth, from South Africa saying the incident left her thinking about the risks women may face while trying to work on their physical and emotional wellbeing.
She recalled how Elizabeth had gone out running and, according to the account she shared, never returned home. Her family later found her body among other bodies.
“Rest in peace, Elizabeth. My heart goes out to your family,” Ndinda wrote alongside the video.
The incident prompted Ndinda to question how safe it is for women to exercise outdoors, even when their intention is simply to improve their health.
The many considerations
Ndinda, who regularly goes for runs as part of her fitness routine, said she finds herself asking several questions before going out for a run, including whether she will be running in the dark, whether she has a reflector and whether she should have someone accompany her.
“Am I running while in the dark? Do I have a reflector? Do I have a partner? Am I alone?” she asked.
She also considers whether someone knows where she has gone and whether they would notice if she failed to return within the expected time.
Ndinda said she may carry her phone and use fitness platforms, while also weighing the safety implications of sharing her location.
Beyond fitness
Her concerns also extend to what she wears and the route she chooses. Ndinda humorously described second-guessing whether her shorts are too short before eventually deciding to wear them and go running.
She further noted that she would rather exercise where other people are also running, rather than heading out alone or at a time when the streets are quiet.
Despite laughing at some of the questions, Ndinda acknowledged that the issue is serious.
“I’m laughing, but this thing is not funny. This thing is hard,” she said.
In her caption, Ndinda asked fellow women who run or walk whether they think about similar safety concerns before leaving home.
“I shared my thoughts in this video, but I want to hear from you,” she wrote, encouraging women to share what goes through their minds before a run.